PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18247, 7 February 1931, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

THEATRE ROYAL. March 2. —J. C. Williamson (pantomime “The House That Jacl Built,”) The Earthquake Tragedy. The sympathy of everyone goes ou to the victims of the earthquake thii week. Mr Walter Gray, formerly o: Hamilton, was manager of the Majestic Theatre, Napier, which wa destroyed. -Mr Thompson had chargi of the Gaiety Theatre, Napier, and M J. Foote was in control of the Cos; and Municipal Theatres,- Hastings. The Municipal Theatre in Napie; was one of the finest in New Zealand and' always received praise fronr visiting players, especially for th< ‘comfort of the dressing-room accommodation. Benefit recitals will be given ir Hamilton—in St. Paul’s Church (arranged by Mr T. S. Webster) and St Andrew's Church (arranged by Mr E H. Apthorp). “Journey’s End’.’ In Now Zealand. Of the production of “Journey's End” (stage play) -last week an Invercargill paper says: The MauriceGordon Company has chosen wisely ir selecting this play for its initial venture in New Zealand, because this plai wilLshow how strong is the desire tc see flesh and blood on the stage. II there are subtleties on the screen one missed in the stage version of lasi night there was a power in some ol the scenes exceeding, the talkies’ besl moments, and if the screen gainec through the expansion of the stage the stage scored through its concentration. Another tremendous advantage is that the dialogue is always clear, because the action can be suspended to permit the laughter produced by the comedy to die away, Last night’s presentation of "Journey's End” was almost startlingly effective, The version was lucid and powerful enough to rivet the attention of the audience throughout, and the work generally suggests that here is a company which deserves public support both for what it is offering now and will offer in the future. Of Reginald Newson’s "Captain Stanhope” the paper says: Reginald Newson presented Stanhope forcefully arid on a wide scale of modulation. The opening scene was extremely well done and the characterisation ' was consistent. Stanhope might have been kept closer to the Public School type, the steel could be made finer; but if Mr Newson drew his lines too bluntly at times ho scored with the sturdy confidence with which he pressed home the bigger scenes. “On the Spot” In Sydney. . Edgar Wallace’s “On the Spot,” described as the first play written by this author minus mystery interest, had its Australian premiere at the Criterion, Sydney, last Saturday. Frank Harvey, recently returned from London, has the principal role as Tony Perelli, a musician who rises to rule the vicious kingdom of the underworld. The cast is as follows: — Tony Perelli Frank Harvey Detective Kelly . . Campbell Copelin Tom O’Hara John Fernside Angelo Pirie Bush Jimmy McGarth Frank Leighton Mike Feeney Tal Ordell Minn Lee Tisha Guide Marie Poluski Rowena Arnold Rowena Arnold is in private life Mrs Herbert Browne, and was in New Zealand with • the Boucicault and Leo Carrillo companies. ' 'Pirie Bush is a New Zealander, formerly of Wellington. Tal Ordell was in New Zealand many years ago as Ginger Mick in “The Sentimental Bloke.” Clem Dawe In Perth. The Midnight Frolics, headed by popular Clem Dawe, are having a lone and successful season in Perth. The company includes Sid Halliday, Lina Watson, the Austral Trio, Kitty Stewart, Len Rich, Edna Ralston. Cyril James, Eric Edgelev, Nell Maguire, Les White,- Lou Cottam. Allan Wilkie’s 111 Luck. The fire a-t the King’s Theatre, Melbourne. means another bit of bad luck for Allan Wilkie, who recently had to disband' his Shakespearean Company. In three weeks Mr Wilkie intended to begin a season at the theatre with Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever.” On the day of the fire Mr Wilkie said he had only that day completed all details of his organisation for onenin?. He is busy arranging for another theatre. Mr Wilkie has been unfortunate in theatre fires. In June. 1926. when he was presenting Shakespearean plays in Geelong, the Geelong theatre was destroyed, and he lost all his scenery, wardrobe and properties. Clara Butt Coming. Negotiations have been completed with Madame Clara Butt and Mr Kennerley Rumford to come to Australia under engagement, to J. and N. Tait. They will sail from Hongkong, where "they are now. -and reach Sydney via Brisbane at- the end of March. Drury Lane Setting Altered. An agreement between Sm Alfred Butt and the Earl of Cromer, the Lord ! Chamberlain, that no risk should be j run of causing offence to India, led to I a sudden alteration in the new musical play production at Drury Lane Theatre. The original story concerned the efforts of a British officer in India to bring to justice an imaginary rajah who was plotting against the Empire. Lord Cromer pointed out to Sir Alfred Butt that he was being placed in an uncomfortable position in having to sanction the performance of such a play—especially at a time when ;he Round Table Conference was in oeing. Sir Alfred at once had the script Utered so as to make the scene of ,he plot a purely imaginary one, even he settings and costumes being hur•iedly re-designed. /1/hat Is Eaten In Stage Meal. All is not attractive to eat that is ;erved as food on the stage. In the dinner scene in “ The Man pom Blankley’s” in London, the fish s white bread, the meat is brown tread, and the partridges are doughiuts. That at least is what was served t the dress rehearsal. So when hungry theatre-goers see he company apparently eating a subtantial meal with great relish they eed not reflect with regret on their vn hurried repast before making for te theatre. 1