PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 16 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Coming Events.

May 23—Organ Recital by Mr E. H

Apthorp. May 30 —Hamilton Students’ Associa-

tion (French Music). May 31 —J. C. Williamson, Ltd. (Benno Moiseiwitsch, pianist). June 27—Hamilton Students’ Association (New Zealand Composers). August—Hamilton Philharmonic Soci-

ety (Elgar evening). October 11 to 14 —Hamilton Operatic Society.

Play Popular In Sydney.

“The Barretts of Wimpole Street, at the Criterion, continues to entrance large audiences (says Sydney Sun). It is readily recognised by the majority of playgoers that in Margaret Rawlings we are seeing a star of the first magnitude. The world will ta..v about her yet. ' E. Bellenden Clarke’s subtle impersonation of Elizabeth Barrett s eccentric father is as tine a piece of acting as the Sydney stage has seen for years. Other leading parts are well handled by Barry K. Barnes (who appears as Robert Browning), Gabriel Toync, Mary Cobbe, Noel Boyd—an astonishing young woman who is good in every part she plays —Mary MacGregor and John Wood. A word should he said for Flush, the spaniel, who is also a natural actor and loves the footlights.

Waikato Winter Show.

The Waikato Winter Show, which ■will open on Tuesday, May 31, plays a big part in the amusement of Hamilton residents and the many visitors attracted from all over New Zealand. This vear the competitions to be held in the Concert Hall on the Wednesday, Thursday .and Friday mornings will cover a wide range, including elocution, vocal and instrumental music, national and operatic dancing. Good entries are assured, and the competitions should prove very enjoyable. Entires will be received by the secretary, Mr W. H. Paul, until Monday. A demonstration concert will be given at the close. The side-shows are always a source of great interest, and do much to provide amusement. This year “all the fun of the fair” will be available, .and ihow-goers will be able to enjoy Ihemselves to their hearts' content.

Barrie IVlarschel's New Play. “The Kid from Timaru," by Barrie Marschel (formerly of Hamilton), was staged successfully for two nights at Timaru this week. That the play is of the melodramatic type, with virtue very virtuous and villainy of the deepest dye, seems to be indicated by the following synopsis:—The Snow Baby—A Foundling— The Kid of Timaru —Foster Parents — The Adoption of Molly Moss —The Orphanage —Jew and Gentile The Plighted Troth —The Years Pass —Outbreak of War —Rushing to the Colours—Off to the Front—Base Designs Conscientious Objectors— Invalided Home—The Mad Soldier — A Silver-haired Derelict —The Doctor Takes a Risk —Reason Restored, but Memory Dead —The Breaking of the Clouds—The Unknown Warrior — Recognition—A Villain Foiled—'Villainy Vanquished and Virtue Victorious. Mr Marschel appeared as Jock Macdonald, giving a very fine performance. New Zealand Girl tn London. The following is from the London Era: Those of us who enjoyed “The Chocolate Soldier” 20 years ago, when we helped it to run ils course of over 500 performances, will not be disappointed with this splendid production; and, what is more, we shall not be ashamed of showing this generation what so greatly amused us in those far-off clays.

This presentation is carried out on the most generous lines. At the first matinee Anne Croft (in New Zealand as “The Girl Friend”) was precluded from appearing by a recalcitrant throat. One of the bridesmaids had, perforce, to take the lead as Nadia. Nora MaoManus (the New Zealand girl who was formerly in Williamson musical comedies) acquitted herself right nobly. With such an acco'mplished company it is with diffidence that one particularises further. Nevertheless, I do name Tom Shale and the übiquitous Sara Allgood. Another paper says: Anne Croft had a tumultuous—“tumultuous” seems the only adequate word —reception at the first night at the Shaftesbury, and then suddenly lost her voice from overstrain, and possibly the cares attendant upon production. She has been very- capably understudied by a little New Zealander, Nora .MaoManus. Dancer IVlarrlod. Pat Kendall, who, with her brother Terry, gave, specially dances in Ihe Clem Dawc show, “Love Lies,” in Hamilton a few years ago, was married in England recently to a Leicester silk merchant. Pat. is a daughter of Marie Kendall, the English vaudeville star, and a cousin of Alec Megan, the light comedian who left the slage a few years ago, after winning great popularity wth the Midnight Frolics and other shows, to take up tiic management of tlie Regent Theatre in Dunedin.

"Balmy Days" at Christchurch

To Christchurch enterprise and capital belong the credit of launching the most ambitious theatrical enterprise attempted in the Dominion for some years. Much capital lias been placed behind a company of 150 persons, led by artists formerly prominent on Die Williamson circuit and whose names are well known among followers of musical comedy. Action is the keynote of “Balmy Days." Lilting songs, catchy Junes, beautiful and graceful ballets, specially and daring dance numbers, with the relief of a line professional comedy team, are just a few attractions of the new show.

The producers of “Balmy Days” have secured the services of a troupe of Chinese artists, who in its llrst appearance in Now Zealand will present the type of mystifying tricks that made Long Tack Sam such a favourite, together with weird Oriental music and songs.

The Christchurch season will onmi on .May 2S, before undertakingJvSils New Zealand tour.

| Ton per cent, of the proceeds wiJI bo devoted to !he Mayor's Fund fur 1 yie relief of distress.