THE RUSSIAN BALLET.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20248, 17 July 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE RUSSIAN BALLET.

WEDDINQ IN MELBOURNE. RUMOUR OF FURTHER ROMANCE. MELBOURNE, July 1. Marriages, and rumours of marriages, have added extra excitement to the farewell season of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet in Australia. Mr Thadee Slavinsky was recently married in Sydney to Miss Marie Doran, a Tivoli artist, and he has since signed a contract with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to remain in Australia to appear in the new production of "Balalaika.” It is said that Helene Kirsova, the principal ballerina of the Ballet, will remain in Australia for a holiday, and there are rumours that she may marry , here. This morning two members of the ' ballet company, Miss Elizabeth Souvorova and Mr Aloysha Frank, were married quietly at the registrar’s of- , flee. Miss Helene Kirsova had promised | to be bridesmaid, but she overslept after her performance on Tuesday night. She was awakened to her be- | lated responsibilities by a telephone j message from Mrs Frank, who said that the marriage had been already celebrated. Mrs Frank is English and her husband Russian. The bride and bridegroom appeared at the matinee performance in “Petroushka” this afternoon, and Mrs Frank appeared in ‘‘Port Said” at the performance tonight. _ STAGE PRODUCTIONS. Why Is Hamilton Passed Over? According to the itinerary sent out by the J. C. Williamson management, the Don Cossack Choir will not bo Been and heard in Hamilton. The New Zealand tour will open at Wellington on July 31, and after a run through the South Island towns the choir will return to the North, appearing at Masterton, Waipukurau, Hastings, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hawera and New Plymouth, and opening at Auckland on September 4. i Gladys Moncrleff For England. The Gladys Moncrleff Company has been appearing all the week in Christchurch in “The Merry Widow,” which will be replaced to-night by "Maid of the Mountains.” A member of the oompany wrote me as follows from Wellington:— ‘‘The audiences have been more enthusiastic than 1 have known them on previous visits. In ‘The Maid’ they became very hilarious, especially in the third act, at Don Nicol’s capers. “There is snow on the Rimutakas and Tararuas, and the view from the higher parts of Wellington on a bright, clear day is inspiring. 1 must say that althbugh Wellington is so hilly and has many streets called ‘steep,’ it has the bracing climate to make an ordinary person negotiate them without trouble. "I believe we are going to Brisbane for a fortnight alter we leave New Zealand, and then there Is a possibility that we may go into the new comic opera, ‘Balalaika.’ ’’ "It Is likely that Gladys will make a holiday trip to America and England after the Brisbane season.” Late John Ralston’s Daughter. Mascotte Ralston, daughter of the late John Ralston, whose name will always be associated in New Zealand with the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, has a good part in the Him, "Call It a Day," and does It very well. A Comparison of Audlenoes. When asked how Australian and English audiences compared, George Gee, the principal comedian of "Over She Goes," at Melbourne, said that it was diflicult to make a comparison. “ They are both excellent in their own way," he said. “On the stage In Australia you feel a closer and more friendly atmosphere, and the sort of comedy that appeals here is not quite subtle enough for the English taste. In England, too, people are friendly, hut they do not seem so whole-hearted about it.” Australian. Girls’ Success In London. There Is an interesting little story concerning Nellie (now Helen) Barnes,' leading lady in "No! No! Nanette” at New Gross Empire, says a London England from Australia and went to see a popular musical comedy. Then she interviewed tlie producer, told him of the roles she had played with the Williamson management in Australia and New Zealand and how much she would like to be Nanette. Struck by Helen’s engaging personality, he cast her immediately for tlie part of leading lady, and Miss Barnes has been the outstanding success of a prosperous provincial tour. Janet Johnson, pretty 21-year-old Australian actress, who was an instant success in "The Lady of La Paz” last summer. Is returning to London from Hollywood to take over from Vivien Leigh the part of tlie rector’s elder daughter in "Bats in the Belfry” at the Ambassadors. Miss Johnson was seen on the stage In Hamilton in "The Wind and the Rain.” New Revues for Fuller Circuit. Sir Benjamin Fuller has engaged Bertram Montague’s two revues, "This Year of Carnival” and "Let’s Go Places," lo go on from South Africa to Australia for a long season, says a London paper. Lewis Marks has been spt ■■ ■ engaf 1 to pro luce. Crippled—But Bocamo Ballerina. A club-foot—a legacy of infantile paralvsis at the age of seven—was the reason for Nana Gollner becoming a ballerina. Aged is. she is now appearing at the London Coliseum in " Les Kites." ** 0,, the advice of my doctor,” Miss nollner told a reporter, ** 1 did exercises everv day for three years on a largo sau«i- filled tray, adopting, unconsciously. many bullet poses. •• m mv tenth birthday my foot was , |lt rin it ami I was tired with the ambition of becoming a ballet dancer. Mv parents gave in to my wishes when , \ N ', S | -j. | have danced in ballet .wer since."