PLAYS AND PLAYERS

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19451, 15 December 1934, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS

COMING EVENTS. December 15—Myra Booth’s Pupils’ Recital. Christmas Attractions. It will be like old times in New Zealand at Christmas, with several “flesh and bloo'd” shows in season. There jvill be the Frank Neil revue, “New Paces,” i'in Auckland; the Stanley McKay revue, “Hullo, Everybody,” in Wellington; the Grenadier Guards Band, in Christchurch; and the Clem Dawe revue 'company in Dunedin. Then, early in the New Year, a Williamson Company will open a New Zealand tour at Wellington with the drama “Ten Minute Alibi” and the comedy “The Wind and the Rain’ Drama for New Zealand. The murder thriller, “Ten Minute Alibi” (Anthony Armstrong’s worldfamous drama), will commence a New Zealand season at the Wellington Grand -Op%ra House on January 19. This is the unique play in which the audience actually sees a murder committed, yet watches an alibi being proved. That there is every justification for the rriurder assists the murderer to secure the sympathy of audiences, 'so much so that the crime is followed with breathless interest and sustained approval. 'George Thirlwell, a young English actor, enacts the hero role, and there ds only one woman in the play.

The same company will also be seen in “The Wind and the Rain,’ the work of Dr. Merton Hodge, the New Zealand doctor. It is a tale of medical student life In Scotland, with a strong love Interest. It has been playing in London for over a year. Former Hamilton Girl's Romanoe. Mr John Griffiths, of Sydney, whose wedding to Miss Nina Scott will take plaoe next Wednesday evening, arrived at Auckland by the Niagara last Monday. New Produotlon In Melbourne. One of the most notable musical comedy productions staged by J. G. Williamson Ltd., will be given in Melbourne on Saturday, December 22, when “Roberta” will be staged for the first time in Australia. Headed by Madge Elliott and Cyril Rltohard, the cast will include Ethel Morrison (the New Zealander who was engaged in New York for the role of Aunt Minnie, the modiste whose tra'de name is "Roberta”), Leo Franklyn, Frank Leighton, Jean Duncan, Dorothy Dunckley, George Willoughby, Mary Rigby, Marie Le Varre, Leslie Crane, Mona’ Potts, Mona Zeppel, 'Charles Zoli, Phyllis Ferguson, Millie Engler, Arthur Clarke, and others. . The production will be produced by Cyril Rltohard. Clem Dawe SA Year/3 on Stage. Although he is only 32 years old, Clem Dawe, the popular comedian, now In the South Island, has been on the stage for 24 years. In the last 12 months he has noticed that the publio Is beooming "definitely stageminded." In support of his statement that the nublio taste was inclining to the legitimate stage, Mr Dawe mentioned that he had received a letter from a brother In Sydney. Recently this brother started a theatrical school, teaching all types of acting, and ballet and tap dancing. In two months there were 600 members and two shows were on the road. Professional companies were beginning to draw on members of the school. Going to Fight Divorce.

Mile. Alice Delysia, the Frenoh aotress whose Australian tour has been, brought to a sudden close owing to the need for her to return to France immediately to contest the suit for divorce brought by her husband, M. Georges Denis, sailed from Sydney this It is necessary for her to appear in order to protect he r own property under her marriage contract. “I am a Catholio," says Delysia, “and divorce is against my principles. So I let him bring the divorce, and I am —what you say—not soiled.

“We were married six years ago, but we were not happy; we have been separated a long time, and I have not seen my husband for eighteen months. “The whole world talked, but I was a good wife, and I did not hear the gosseep.” Delysia was sad to leave Australia so soon. She had been there for over five months, and what did she regret most at partingW “Everything!” she sai,d emphatically. “The people, the sunshine, and my home with its lovely view. “I could live in Sydney for always, so long as 1 could travel to see my family. I was born in March —the month of fishes—so I am like a little llsh, always wanting, to travel. “I have no reproaches for your cities or your homes. They are all so cliar-r-ming. I shall cherish happy memories of you all, and I shall come back.”

Diana Wynyard’s Suocess on Stage. For some minutes “Sweet Aloes,” the new play by Jay Mallory, produced at Manchester, was just talk. Then (says a London paper) Diana Wynyard walked in, and it became alive, vital, gripping. Under Diana’s magic touch the grip lasted till the final curtain. If her reputation wasn’t already established "Sweet Aloes” would do the trick.

It is a charming show. I wouldn’t yearn to seo this story of an unwanted baby handled by inferior actors. Luckily there are none among Diana's colleagues. Expert staging, skilful construction, clever dialogue and finished acting combine to evolve striking etlleiency. Another London runner, I think.

Sir Harry Laudor’s Return. After an absence of over three years from the West lfnd variety stage, Sir Harry Lauder started an engagement at the Alhambra Theatre, London, last month. Since he. was there last lie has written some new songs for himself, and his long programme included such old favourites as “Roamin’ in the Gloaming" and “I Love a Lassie.” Sir Harry stated the other day that he has no intention of retiring, and said that he feels litter to-day than he did ten years ago. Surely it, is time lie undertook another “farewell tour" of New Zealand and Australia.

11 Dubarry ” Company’s Rough Trip. A letter from a member of " The Dubarry ” company states that the trip from Wellington to Sydney was very rough, with seas constantly breaking over the steamer. Even when going through Sydney Heads the ship was still rolling tremendously, and some of the members of the company, experienced travellers though they were, were ill until the vessel berthed. A few days’ rest followed, with surf bathing at Bondi and the other beaches, and the members taking a “ busman's holiday ” by seeing the shows —the Russian Ballet, “ The Merry Malones,” “ Fresh Fields," “ Her Past,” etc. Then rehearsals commenced for a new production—the spectacular musical play “ Victoria and Her Hussar,” to be staged at Christmas. This, my correspondent states, contains some very tuneful music which ought to be popular. Sylvia Welling (“ The Duharry") will' be Victoria, and a new leading man is being brought from England. The cast will include Sydney Burchall, Cecil Kelleway, Jack and Sylvia Kelleway, Lorna Forbes, Richard Parry, I-an -Devereux, Douglas

Herald, and others. .The letter continues; —“ This last week or so we have had the Duke of Gloucester with us. *1 saw him once or twice. He looked a fine, healthy and well-cared-for specimen. But I’ve found him a bit of a nulsanoe once or twice when I had to get In to the theatre for a 10 a.m. call. Once I got' as far as Darlinghurst and the tram stopped. It didn’t go any further -owing to the Duke performing a ceremony In -Hyde Park. I had to walk' a mile ,and just got to the rehearsal on the minute in a lather of perspiration and a bad temper!” “Peter Pan” Record. For the eighth year In succession Jean Forbes-Robertson will play Peter Pan in London at Christmas, thus

bringing her record up to the same number as Pauline Chase. j "Peter Pan" will be confined to| matinees, so will not interfere with I Miss ■Forbes-Rohertson’s performances j in "As You Desire Me" at the Royalty, j Other Activities. J A farce-comedy, “The Theatrical i Agency," was staged at Kapongu| (Taranaki) last week.