PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19633, 20 July 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

“ Ball at the Savoy ” In Sydney.

“ Ball at the Savoy,” a spectacular musical play, was staged in Sydney last week, with the following cast. Marquis de 'Fauhlas .. James Raglan Madeleine (his wife) . Mabel Gibson Archibald (his butler) Cecil 'Kellaway Bebe (Madeleine’s maid) Lois Green Mustapha Bei (Attache at the Turkish Embassy) Oskar Denes Kathi Mihazy (Madeleine’s cousin) Nellie Barnes Albert ( a dressmaker) . Fred Bonner Nina (a dancer) Jean Duncan Celestin Fromant (a young lawyer) Robert Coote Ernest Benuet (his friend) Ilillon Porter, Pomerol (head waiter at the Savoy) Sydney Wheeler

“ Ball at the Savoy ’ can be seen •and heard many times, says a Sydney paper. That quality will be its success. It is an operetta in three acts and so it stands. Its music is better than the usual, and Blackman s production,, with Nina Starace s ballets and ensembles, is crisp and entirely effective. n . lnn _ The Hungarian comedian, usaar Denes, brings to the Australian ftage a new technique in laughter-raising. The Continental stage insists on a funny man being funny, not existing on a few well-tattered garments of personality. „ , . • Denes discards the drab and e 1 1" stained motley of the conventional comic. He gains his effect—and his success in “ Ball at the Savoy as Mustapha Bey—by an outstanding exhibition of cerebral agility. Imagine he Is a terror to conductors who think two-four time fast; he tackles a song at a speed which would make the Duke of Plaza Toro feel that his celebrated, under-rated, cultivated, and etc., ballad was but a funeral march. And he works 1 He works with eyes, teeth, head, shoulders, feet and even with corporation, until one fears that he will fall to pieces. You see —he is a comedian one of the few great comedians left.

Nellie Barnes repeats her success of “ Music in the Air ” and “ Dubarry." She is, as Kathi, a perfect foil for Denes. 'Her acting and her dancing are superb. Few women can make men laugh. She can! In the lead as Madeleine, Mabel Gibson gives a line performance. Her voice is fresher and she has delicious poise. A few observations: Bobbie Coote gives a great show. Why has be been burled for so long?. 'Cecil Kellaway was also given a few words. How silly. . . • Jean Duncan, tall and moderately effective as Nina. . . . Dress suits that fit for the chorus boys and bright costumes for the Starace’s ballets. Clem Dawe for England. Clem Dawe and bis revue company will say farewell to New Zealand at Wellington to-night. They have been in the Dominion 15 months. The company will return to Australia next week, en route to England. Gilbert and Sullivan In Melbourne. “The Yeomen of the Guard’’ has followed “ The Pirates of Penzance ” in the revival of Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Melbourne. Winifred Lawson is Elsie Maynard, and Ivan Menzies is again Jack Point.

Nellie Bramley Farewells Christchurch

The Nellie Bramley Company gave •the last performance of its long Christchurch season on Saturday, when the comedy “ Marry at Leisure was staged. Male Ballet Dancers.

To kill the idea that dancing is feminine Ted Shawn’s all-men ballet, consisting of athletes, has made its appearance in England. » Night Birds ” at Sydney.

A gay French Revue, with dazzling dances, melodies, fun and novelty, an expert ballet and chorus all help to make “ Birds of the Night,” the new show which opened 'last week at Sydney Tivoli, an exhilarating entertainment. The revue features some of the cleverest artists that have been seen in Australia. These include Frank O’Brian and Janice Hart, who is quite a personality with her singing, dancing and artistry. The Kiraku Brothers, a pair of Japanese comedians, offered an amazing act, while the Three Loose Screws and the Broadway Boys and Brenda and Les Cyranos staged acts of cleverness and originality. A Fearsome “ Mikado.”

Bernard [Manning, whose fearsome make-up as “ The Mikado ’’ in previous Gilbert and Sullivan companies Is well remembered, has joined the company that is reviving the operas In Melbourne.

At present he is appearing as Sergeant Meryll in “ The Yeomen of the Guard." Other roles will be the Pirate King in “ Pirates of Penzance,” Arac in “ Princess Ida,’’ Dick Dcadeye in “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” Earl Mount Ararat In “ lolanthe,” and, of course, the Mikado.

“The Patsy” Rovlvod In Sydnoy. Agnes Doyle’s infectious laughter rnade a charming revival of “ Tho ?atsy,” tho comedy by the American, Barry Conners, that will enliven the final six nights of the Criterion’s eventful life, says a Sydney paper. Beneath the audience's lightheartedness, its gratitude and its thorough appreciation of Miss Doyle’s power, were the melancholy rcllecfions that in a week tho Old Cri. would lie no more. “All Ilia world’s a stage—but most of us are only stage-hands," says Patricia, tho lovable Palsy, a memorable, friendly person, as represented hy Miss Doyle. All the homespun philosophy, the family humour, the vivacity, the gauchcrie, the honesty, tho high spirits and flic pathos of (lie girl arc woven by Miss Doyle into a rich and complete character. Marshall Crosby presented a Jovial Irish-Amcriean father in a sound, broad and human study. Franklin Bennett was a complacent and personable hero. Richard Parry is too substantial and definite to be cast as a feckless youth, lull lie is an aclor of technical resource, personality and vocal graces. I.ea! Douglas was Patricia's formidable, domineering mother, and as Ihc self-centred sister, Sadie Bedford was a stern and bitter dose.