PLAYS AND PLAYERS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS

Coming Events. April 18 —J. C. Williamson, Ltd. (“The Wind and the Rain.”) April 25—-St. Andrew’s Choir (“The Creation”). “Wind and the Rain” for Hamilton. It is good news that Hamilton is to see “The Wind and the Rain,” that comedy of student life written by a New Zealander, Dr. .Merton Hodge. As stated in this page last week, it is estimated that 250,000 people have seen this play. It has been running for 18 months in London (being the outstanding success of the last seasons), and for a year in New York, while it has been translated into other languages and is running in several Continental capitals. The company is the one that was in Hamilton a few’ months ago in "Ten Minute Alibi,” and is headed by George Thirhvell, an English actor, and Joyce Howarth.

Gilbert and Sulljvan for New Zealand. A new Gilbert and Sullivan Company will open in Australia about the end of May. George Stirling, from London, will be the principal tenor, and Mr Watkins will have the parts played by the late Jack Ralston. Ivan Menzies will be with 'the company again, and also Evelyn Gardiner and 'Gregory Stroud. Winifred Lawson will be the principal soprano. She is from the D’Oyly Carte Gilbert and Sullivan Company. It will be about Christmas before the company comes to New Zealand. All the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire will be presented, and in view of the King’s jubilee celebrations it is, possible that “Merrie England” might also be included. Now Zealanders In Sydney. 'Frank 'Sturge Harty, formerly of Hamilton, gave a 'talk on "Vanished Treasures” over the air from Sydney last week. On tfre same programme Eric Baume, editor of the Sydney Sun and formerly on the staff of a Waikato paper, spoke of “Pros and Cons." New Plays In Melbourne. - The new English company imported by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is having a successful season in Melbourne. “Sweet Aloes” and “Laburnum Grove” have already been staged, and will be followed by "Eden End” and "The Shining Hour.” Farewell to Gladys IMoncrieff.

Tlie last performance of “The Cedar Tree” was given at Sydney on Saturday night. There were scenes of tremendous enthusiasm, and Gladys Moncrieff was given a great ovation. Miss Moncrieff will leave in July for England, where she hopes to enjoy a holiday, before taking engagements.

Auckland Easter Attraction.

Applications for the presentation of., the brilliantly clever and entertaining play, “The Wind and the Rain,” which was written by the New Zealand playwright, Dr. Merton Hodge, have been received from practically every town in the Dominion, and in response to these requests the .!• U. Williamson, ‘Ltd., management arranged a very comprehensive tour, including the •smaller centres as well as the cities, by the company previously seen in “Ten Minute Alibi.”

The company will afterwards provide the Easter attraction at Auckland.

Madge Elliott’s Wedding. Madge Elliott’s marriage to Cyril Rltchard will take place at 'the end of the season of “ Roberta” in Sydney, after which they will take a honeymoon trip to America and England, with a visit to Honolulu.

The Ten Best Plays.

According to the “ Literary Digest” the ten best plays produced in America last year were as follow: “Wednesday’s Child,” “No More Ladies,” "They Shall Not Die,” “ Dodsworlh," “ The Shining Hour,” “ The Farmer Takes a Wife," 1 The Children’s Hour,” * Valley Forge,” “ Within the Gates,” and “ Merrily We Roll Along.” Not one of these plays has seen production either in Australia or New Zealand.

•Paganini as Subject for the Stage. The latest biographical play centres round the life of Paganini, it is -said that the great violinist was in league with the devil, and the play has been based on this legend.

Liszt, Berlioz, Chopin and'Georges Sand figure in the play, and also Paganini’s manager, George llarrys, who was a dwarf. This .part is played by Andrew Leigh, and the part of Paganini by Ernest Milton, who, rumour has it, Is also the author of the play, though the qulhor’s name is given as David Wells. Other biographical plays in London Include “Young Mr Disraeli" and "Mary Read,” both of which are to be made into films, “Clive of India," and a revival of “The Barretts of Wlmpole Street.” “The Cedar Tfoe” In Sydney.

“The Colony” is ’ viewed romantically in "The Cedar Tree,” which was presented by Mr F. W. Thrlng at the Criterion Theatre on Saturday, says a Sydney paper.

Cast, settings and costumes are at the standard which our audiences associate with imported musical comedies, and the production had a cordial reception. With the Cedar Tree shipyard, on the river at Windsor, are linked the fortunes of Dianella Weston and two rivals for tier hand.

The Flying Pieman, a "character" of early Sydney, interpreted by Alfred •Frith, provides much of the humour.

'Mrs Varney Monk, who composed the music (except the bird ballet) was fortunate in having Gladys Moncrieff’s fine voice for “The Cedar Tree" and other songs. The hook is by Edmund Barclay, and lyrics ■ by Helene Barclay. Claude Flemming plays Roger Carstairs, a merchant in love, who makes a romantic renunciation of Dianella (Gladys Monerieff) in favour of a lieutenant of Hie Queen’s Own Regiment (Russell Scott).

The cast includes also Phyllis Baker, very lively in a soubretlo role, Byrl Walkicy. Lou Vernon, .loe VaHi, Reginald Roberts, and Paul U’Laughlin.