STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 26 June 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

AT HOME AND ABROAD. SOME DOMING ATTRACTIONS. Gladys MonorlefT In Wellington. The Gladys Moncrieff company, after a fortnight’s triumphal tour of the provincial towns —New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings and Masterton — will open a season at Wellington to-night in “The Merry iVidow.” yVhen Will They Return? “One thought dominated the mind of patrons leaving the New Plymouth Opera House after seeing and hearing the Gladys Moncrieff company in “The Maid of the Mountains’’ —when, will they return?” says a Taranaki paper. “The sooner a return visit is paid the better pleased will be the public of New Plymouth.” This sentiment will be echoed by Hamilton playgoers. Cossaok Choir and Dancer* for N.Z. Among the arrivals by the Rangltata, which Is due at Wellington towards the end of next month, will bo Platoff's Don Cossack Choir, which has recently concluded tours of America, South Africa, and England. They will tour New Zealand and later go to Australia. The choir consists of twenty-five singers, including six soloists. Five dancers are also included in the party. The conductor is M. Nicolas 'lvostrukoff. This choir, said to have been in existence for 200 years, was named after the famous general, Platoff. Its membership is largely hereditary, most of its members being descendants of original members of the choir. Marcus Show May Return. The Marcus Show, which has drawn huge audiences right througli New Zealand, is now in Dunedin. There is a possibility that some of the towns may be re-visited. Last week three performances were given in Invercargill, and proved so successful that the manager announced that a return season may be 1 played. Russian Banat’s Reoord. The Russian Ballet had an enthusiastic farewell at Sydney last week. When the season ends at Adelaide next month the Ballet will have given 294 performances during its seven months’ stay in Australia and New Zealand. This Is looked upon as an amazing achievement, especially at the high prices necessary. Marl* Ney In London. The P.E.N. Club held a dinner in London on May 4 to celebrate the centenary of Swinburne. Marie Ney, the New Zealand aotress, read four of Swinburne’s works: • The Hounds of Spring,” “Sun Dew,” “ At a Parting,” and “An Interlude.” Theo Trezise In London. A London paper, under the heading “ Major Peppercorn’s Double,” with pictures of a well-known caricature character and Mr Theo Trezise, says:— You all know Major Peppercorn— Ruggies’ racy paj. He’s a grand pal. He's a grand character, and you can’t help falling for him. But Major Peppercorn ha* had rather a funny result for Mr. W. Theodore Trezise, of Wimble’don. People look twice at him in the street. But Mr. Theodore Trezise doesn’t mind. He’s an aotor by profession, and he says: “ Well, If I had to act the part of the major I wouldn’t need much makeup, anyway!” Mr. Trezise was formerly prominent as a producer and a dancer In New Zealand. The Bprlngbok* a* Songsters. The Springbok footballers enjoy singing choruses, In both languages— English and Afrlcaanese. Their favourite Is the South African folk song, “ Care Marais.” Koffie Hoymeyer is the musician of the side, and he gets the most out of the piano. Louis Babrow, who is in his final year as a medical student, and Danie Craven, who is a school teacher, on the voyage over transcribed In Afrlcaanese the words from English of many swinging choruses, the particular favourites being “ Treasure Island,” “ Samoa,” and “ Come and Have a Drink With Me.” Original “Peter Pan” Characters. The late Sir James Barrie, whose death Is widely deplored, published his greatest success, “Peter Pun. or the Roy Who Would Not Grow Up,” In 1904. When the first printed copy of the play was published. Sir James made things clear in a beautiful dedication to “The Five.” These were the five boys of Sylvia md Arthur Llewellyn Davies, daughter and -son-in-law of George du Maurier, the author of “Trilby,” and a famous “Punch” artist. Sir Janies played at pirates with the boys at his country home near Farnham, amt it was from this delightful association that the delicious makebelieve of “Peter Pan" was slowly evolved. Of “the five,” two are -still living, Dut George, the eldest, was killed in .he war. and Michael was drowned •vhlle bathing at Oxford. Russian Ballet to Return In 1939. The Colonel de Basil Monte Carlo Russian Ballet Company, which was received with great enthusiasm throughout New Zealand early this fear, will return for a tour of Aus.ralia and New Zealand in 1939. Mr Jacques Lidjl, co-director of the companv, made this announcement in Sydney tills month. Mr Lidjl promised an even stronger company than the one that visited Australia and New Zealand lids year, in Chicago, on a recent visit, he had conferred with Colonel de Basil about tiie tour. He saw t lie de Basil company there dance the Berlioz "Symphonic FantasMque,” which, lie said, nad created a sensation in America. This work would be Included in Hie next Australian repertoire, together with “Choreartium,” which is arranged to the music of a Brahms symphony. The company which loured New Zealand is booked to give a season in London, at <invent Garden, in six months. The famous Russian choreographer. Balanchine, has promised t*> create some new ballets specially for 1L