PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19759, 14 December 1935, Page 19 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

"White Horse Inn” In Auckland. “White Horse Inn,” the spectacular musical play, is to open a New Zealand tour at Auckland on Boxing Day. The love story of Josepha, the charming Inn-keeper, and her head waiter, Leopold, is worked out to a happy conclusion against a background of snow-carfied mountains, luxurious hotel life; all the colour and glamour of a resort popular with millionaires and tourists; with a wealth of song and yodel; a gay animation of dance and the fascination of moonlight on mountain peaks. Extraordinarily beautiful are some of the scenes, so that “White Horse Inn,” as staged by the Williamson-1 ait experts, promises great entertainment to theatregoers. The company will include Alfred Frith, Herbert Browne, Romola Hansen, Marie Anne Conan, Don Nicol, Miriam Lester, and Colin Crane. Hamilton Girl on Adelaide Stage. A six months’ engagement has been signed with Sir Benjamin Fuller by Ruth Scott, formerly of Hamilton, and she will open at Adelaide on Boxing Day as soprano soloist and in sketch •work. « Flames of Desire ” in Melbourne. “ Flames of Desire,” a new musical comedy in Melbourne, has Strella Wilson (for long in Gilbert and Sullivan operas) in the lead. Others in the cast are Lester Allen, Nellie Breen, and William O’Neal. Hamiltonian in England. Nurse Olive Cole, a former member of the Hamilton Operatic Society, writing by air mail from her home in Devonshire, England, speaks of the wonderful programmes heard over the air. “ Just think of it. We sit with our radiogram and listen to programmes from Vienna, or Berlin, or other world centres, as clearly as if the performers were here.” Nurse Cole also speaks of the beauties of the English countryside; “The countryside is a feast of colour just now—Nature's pageant before going to sleep. You would be spellbound. Miles of vivid gold, the woods like a golden fairyland when the sun shines.” Nurse Cole sends Christmas greet- * ings to friends in Hamilton. Ivor Novello’s 174 Curtain Speches. “ Glamorous Night ” recently passed its 200th. performance at Drury Lane, London. Ivor Novello has had to make a curtain speech at 174 of the performances. "Yes, Madam?” In Melbourne. There are tw r o acts containing eleven different scenes in “Yes, Madam?” the musical comedy which is to be the JC. Williamson Christmas attraction at Melbourne. One of these depicts the "Knucklebone Club." concerning which a London paper said: “This scene is the best advertisement night clubs have ever had." There arc no fewer than nineteen musical numbers, ballets, and specialties. Outstanding dance features include “The Girl the Soldiers Leave Behind,” the colour ballet, “Dreaming a Dream", and “Tick Tock.” Magic London at Christmas. “ There will be tan attempt at Christmas to establish a hall of magic on the lines of a modern St. George’s Hall, says a London paper. A West End theatre has 3 been taken for a season, and the principals will include Chris Charlton, the English magician. Has Been Running a Year. “ Sweet Aloes ” reached its first anniversary at Wyndham’s Theatre, London, last month. Diana Wynyard, well remembered in the film, has the lead. Gilbert and Sullivan Operas In Sydney. Light catchy tunes that can be easily remembered have made; “H.M.S. Pinafore” one of the most popular of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire, and the' Savoy Opera Company at the Theatre Royal did well in all the old tunes-and entered into the spirit of Gilbert’s satire, says a Sydney paper. After her successful playing In the “ Pirates of Penzance,” it was ex pected that Helen Langton \tfould fill the bill as Josephine and the young singer skipped untroubled over all the vocal obstacles and showed a dainty lightness. Her voice blended well In the several duets with Godfrey Stirling, who played Ralph Rack straw according to schedule- ‘ Dick Deadeye is a favourite part of Bernard Manning’s,\for it gives him the chance to display the ability in character parts for which he is noted. Ivan Menzics’s pantomime was /his chief aid in the playing of the pompous Sir Joseph Porter and Gregory Stroud played Captain Corcoran on accepted lines. Richard Watson’s voice was given unexpected prominence as the Boatswain's mate and Evelyn Gardiner was Buttercup. Clifford Cowley jumped Into the limelight in the curtain-raiser, “ Cox and Box,” in which he was assisted by Lennox Brewer and Richard Watson. ' Aotress’ Juliet Doscribed as "Miracle.” For tragic beauty, the revival of “Romeo and Juliet” at the New Theatre has no equal on the London stage, says a London paper. It marke the zenith of tiic great renaissance of Shakespearean acting that has been arousing our admiration during the past few years. Playgoers who fervently applauded will never forget the Juliet’ of Peggy Ashcroft. It. was a flawless miracle. Yes, "miracle” is the word, for we had ceased to believe that any actress could combine the appearance of youth witli the. experience of years which are necessary if the part is to be perfectly played. Her inspiration is unfailing. Her words How with all the rhythm of poetry and all the emotional tension of drama. We are aware of Juliet more intimately Ilian ever before. The discoyery she makes for ns is that this tragedy is fcininisl. Its impulse is liers. Juliet dominates Iho a ,.lion (as distinct from the story) and decides Romeo’s fate. Plainly this is whal Shakespeare intended, for the. new reading gives tense significance to scenes formerly regarded as dull. During Romeo's banishment Juliet becomes even more vital than when she leans from her balcony in the heartache of romance.