STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20225, 19 June 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

OLADYB MONCRIEFF DELIGHTED. COSSACKS FOR NEW ZEALAND. Great-hearted Gladys MonoHeff. Gladys Monorleff, besides being one of the outstanding figures of the Australian stage, Is one of the most loved by members of the profession. She is a great-hearted woman, and is always giving a helping hand to the less fortunate ones, of whom there were a great many during the days of the depression. She also gives a lot of encouragement to other players on the stage, and many newcomers. Including New Zealanders, have reason to be grateful to her. On going "behind” after the production of "The Merry Widow” the other night, I almost stumbled over the little dog that accompanies Miss Monorleff everywhere. This started us on a series of "Do You Remembers?” for I reminded Miss Monorleff that I had been present at the first performance of "Rio Rita” in Sydney, when she had been given a great ovation and numerous gifts, amongst which was a little puppy decorated with bright ribbons—the dog that has accompanied her on her travels ever since. MJss Monorleff Is delighted with the success of the present New Zealand tour. "I love New Zealand,” she said, "and would like to stay here for a long time. Perhaps we may do a return tour —I hope we do. We have several other plays in our repertoire, including ‘A Southern Maid,’ ‘Katinka’ and •Katja.’ ” ©•oil Kelleway for Hollywood. I found Cecil Kelleway, of the Gladys Moncrleff company, thrilled at the thought of going to Hollywood. He told me the rather romantic story of his engagement for the film colony. At the first screening In Sydney of the film "It Isn’t Done,” the scenario for which was written by Mr Kelleway and in which he played the principal part at the Cinesound Studio, one of the officials of R.1C.0. Films happened, Just by chance, to be In the audience. The next day Mr Kelleway was surprised to receive a visit from the official, who said that he had been very muoh impressed by the Australian comedian’s work (although Mr Kelleway Is a South African he may be claimed for Australia, for he has been playing there for 16 years). He advised him not to sign any more -stage contracts for he was sure that he could get him a Hollywood contract. When Mp Kelleway was in Auckland he received a cable confirming the contract, and he will leave for Hollywood at the end of the New Zealand tour of the Gladys Monorleff company. He said he was very sorry to be leaving Australia and New Zealand, where he has made many friends, but is naturally thrilled at being offered a Hollywood contract. One of the finest performances I have seen was that of Mr Kelleway as the loveable old musio master In "Music in the Air,” which has not yet been done in New Zealand. I saw it in Sydney, and thought It one of the best things I have seen. When I told Mr Kelleway this, he said that he had loved the part himself, and was sorry that the play had not been staged in the Dominion. He had founded his study of the part on the personality of his father. "Probably that was why I was able to make it so human,” he said. Russian Cossaoks for New Zealand. J. 0. Wllllameon and J. and N. Talt announoe another attraction ror New Zealand In Platoff’g Cossack Singers and dancers, who are ooming on the Rangitata to oommence a Dominion tour at Wellington on July 31. This famous company numbers 26 artists, all of them exponents of the best in choral and solo work, as well is noted interpreters of the fascinating lances of their country. Members of IVlarous Bhow Married. Two members of the Marcus Show we're married this week at St. John’s Church, Christchurch. The bride was Forest, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Lewis Grubb, Kenallbille, Indiana United States, and the bride Victoria Mary, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs James Mulligan, Toledo, Ohio, United States. The' service was taken by the Rev. J. T. McWilliam. Tho bride’s beige ensemble was relieved by a spray of orchids, and she had a beige hat to match. She was attended by Miss Nellie May Wilson, Memphis, Tennessee, who also had a spray of orchids on her ensemble of pearl-grey and black, worn with a black hat. The best man was Mr. T. Lybarger, Kenallbille, Indiana. A reception was held later at the Central Hotel. Noel Coward to Have Long Rest. “ You cannot expect anything more from me—plays, acting, or productions—for at least two years. So said Noel Coward when he arrived back In London following his New York season with Gertrude Lawrence in his " To-night at 8.30 ” series of playlets. This season had to be ended suddenly, aftor It had been extended beyond the orlglnalLy planned three months, when Mr Coward lost his voice. Since then he has been recuperating in the Bahamas. ** My throat is now quite all right,” Mr Coward said, "but I feel I must have a real holiday—a complete rest. That Is why I am making no plans for stago work of any description, beyond seeing the Coronation.” Plays for the Malvern Festival. Two plays by -Bernard Shaw are inoluded In the repertory of this year’s Malvern Festival, begining on July 26 These are "The Apple Carl,” first produced at Malvern In 1929, and a recent play that has only up to now been seen at Bexhill, "The Millionairess.” Thore will be one other example of contemporary drama, "Return to Sanity.” 'by Gerald Wynne Bushton and T. South Mack, first produced a few months ago in Birmingham. Other plays in the repertory are "The School for Scandal,” Fielding’s "Tom Thumb the Great,” and two examples of sixteenth-century playwriting, the celebrated “Gamma Uurton’s Needle" (e. 1575), and tho recontly discovered "Susanah” ir. 1560 . unearthed by Professor I for Kvans in what is believed to be the single surviving copy.