PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 19 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Not Oomlng to Hamilton. The Itinerary arranged for the spectacular musical play, “ White Horse Inn,” which will open at Auckland on Boxing Day, shows that Hamilton Is again to be practically the only town of any size In New Zealand to be passed over. This Is all the more surprising when It Is seen that seasons of three nights are to be played In such towns as New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Hastings, while Masterton, which Is not half the size of Hamilton, will have the company for two nights. Cannot something be done about It? Surely It Is time those Jealous of the standing of the town took action. , 'Christmas Greetings. One of the joys of Christmas is the receipt of greetings from friends abroad. Several came to hand by this week’s mail. William Heughan and Gladys Sayer (don’t you remember the Scottish actor-singer and his pianist wife who used to be so popular in New Zealand?) send the following original verse from their home in London: “As each year rolls on to the end, We, all our heartiest greetings send To friends, 'both old and new. We oft recall the happy times With all our friends, in many climes: And so remember you." • * & # Mr and Mrs William Frye also send good wishes from London, with the appropriate quotation from Dickens: “How many old recollections and how many dormant sympathies does Christmas time awaken.” The former prominent member of the Hamilton Operatic Society and his wife find life In London very pleasant with its round of theatre-going and delving into romantic corners. Billy Kershaw, whose dancing and singing were highly praised in Jim Gerald’s ill-fated show in London, “ Hold Your Horses,” remembers his friends here. * * * » Mrs Ralph Bremner (Della Clapham), in a message from Brisbane, sends special greetings to members of the Hamilton Operatic Society and,the Playbox. She is spending Christmas in Sydney. * * * * Mr P. W. Maddock, the popular manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Films, sends seasonable greetings from Wellington, while those c-f- Mr Lionel Leary (formerly manager of the Hamilton Theatre Royal) and Mrs Leary come from Nelson. Jim Gerald's Show “ Flops ” In London. " Don’t Spare the Horses,’ in which Jim Gerald, the Australian comedian, made his first appearance in London —at a salary, it is said, of £125 a week—was withdrawn from the Gar- ! rick Theatre after five performances. I The humour was too old-fashioned for West End audiences. Popular Players for America. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, whose charm added so much to the i appeal of “Roberta,” “High Jinks,” and “Our Miss Gibbs” joined the Monlerey at Auckland on Tuesday, on theil’ way to America. They will break their voyage for three weeks at Honolulu to spend a holiday which will really be part of their honeymoon, since they have been working hard on the musical comedy tour just completed, almost ever since their marriage in Sydney three months ago. From Honolulu they will go to Santa Barbara, after first spending a. short time in San Francisco. Then they will stay in New York where they intend to see the latest shows and note any Interesting ideas in the theatrical world. It Is their plan to return then to London where they -were so successful in musical comedies up to the time of their departure for Australia about two years ago. Wlrths’ Circus In New Zealand. In the past Wirth's Circus has presented many fine programmes, but from the view of variety and all-round merit it is doubtful if any previous effort came up to the standard of last night’s show, says the Timaru Herald. From the grand parade of artists, to the final number, entertainment. of an outstanding nature was provided, and even though patrons had to grope their way out of the big lent at the finish owing to the sudden failure of .the lights, they found time to discuss the amazing acrobatic stunts or the outstandingly clever accomplishments of the sea-lions which they had been privileged to witness. < “lolanthe” In Sydnoy. “lolanthe" is the latest Gilbert and , Sullivan production in Sydney, with Iho following cast: — Phyllis Winifred Lawson. Lord Chancellor ."..... Ivan Menzies. Strephon Gregory Stroud. Fairy Queen Evelyn, Gardiner. Lord Tolliver Godfre*y Stirling. Private Wills .... Richard Watson. lolanthe Eileen Kelly. Lord Mountararat . . Bernard Manning. Of the first performance the Sydney Sun says:— From the enthusiasm displayed at t.ho Theatre Royal It was plain that “ lolanthe ” had lost none, of Its charm; nor had Its satire lost any of its force. Ivan Menzies, as the Chancellor, is at Ills best In * Says I to Myself, Says I,” and “ Love Unrequited Robs me of my Sleep.” For his singing of the latter number, he was recalled over and over again, and each time he quickened its pace, until a torrent of words came over the footlights, rousing the audicnr) lo excitement. As a mailer of fact, encores were a feature of this excellent show. The chorus of peers, lo Hie accompaniment. of the burlesque hand, was enjoyed io (lie full. Portion of lilts number was repealed five limes, and even Ihen Hie appetite of I lie audience was unsatisfied. Bernard Manning and Godfrey Slirling were ideal as the slupid Karls, and it would lie difficult lo imagine, any one more perfectly cast Ilian Evelyn Gardiner as llm portly fairy Queen. Winifred Lawson and Gregory Stroud wore the two Arcadian lovers in silks and satins, ami Eileen Kelly made a charming lolanthe. “Tho Mikado” will he staged for the Christmas season-