STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20388, 31 December 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS

BHOWB FOR HAMILTON MUSICAL COMEDY AND REVUE Bydney Calls! It was pleasant to get the season’s greetings from Ella Shields, the famous English impersonator, this G Ella, who is appearing at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney, never forgets old friends. She is one of the most likeable people in the profession. The renewing of friendships with people like Miss Shields, the productions of grand opera by the A.8.C., the performance of the spectacular musical play “Balalaika,” to say nothing of the' big anniversary celebrations, should make my coming holiday in Sydney very pleasant. Sparkling Musical Comedy for Hamilton An example of musical comedy at its brightest was given at His Majesty’s Theatre, where the J. C. Williamson company was seen in “ Nice Goings On,” the second production of the company’s repertoire, says an Auckland paper. Containing all the, ingredients which go to make a successful production of this type, “ Nice Goings On ” combines a lively yet coherent story with witty dialogue and clever musical numbers and dances. The leading member of the company, George Gee, again showed his outstanding qualities as a comedian and kept the audience in constant laughter with his antics and spontaneous humour. He was well supported by a number of other clever people. The company will stage “ Over She Goes ” at Hamilton on Monday, Janucary 10. Pantomime in Wellington The Connors and Paul revue company, which opened a New Zealand tour at Wellington very successfully in the revue “Hoity Toity” on Boxing Day, will stage the pantomime “Robinson Crusoe” to-day. 6yd Beck, the popular oomedian, is the dame. New Zealander’s Play Tried Again A doctor's play, “The Island,” by Merton Hodge, which was recently tried out at Kevv with little suocess, is to be presented in the West End before long—with Godfrey Terle in the role taken first by the late lon Swlnley. “Hoity Toity’ l Coming to Hamilton A gay, colourful programme, thoroughly in keeping with the holiday spirit, served to introduce the Connors and Paul Anglo-American Revue Company to a crowded house at the Grand Opera House when the season was opened with the revue “Hoity Toity," says a Wellington paper. In addition to presenting a uniformly talented company in a number of original turns, the producers brought back with them to New Zealand Syd. Beck, the popular Australian comedian. With his india-rubber face and baggy pants, Syd, has a style all his own, and he kept the audience in high spirits all the time he was on the stage. „ The revue will appear in Hamilton on Monday and Tuesday, February 7 and 8, Bernard Shaw Improves Shakespeare Bernard Shaw has improved Shakespeare, says a writer in a London paper. He would not, of course, expect anyone to put even that “past him.” And in rewriting the last scene of “Cymbeline,” as produced at the Embassy Theatre, he has made this dull and confused play come to vigorous liie and modern idiom —for a time. True, this witty Shavian scene is much-needed refreshment, but it also dissolves most of the muddles of the preceding charade. Critics, of course, have sought for ages to suggest that this play is not all Shakespeare’s work. It has been known, through his letters to Ellen Terry, that for 30 years Shaw has thought Imogen a “double image,” a “real woman,” and "an idiotic paragon.” Though the experiment is vitally Interesting, I dare swear “Cymbeline” by G. B. Shaw would be more so, and the competent cast, which includes Joyce Bland, Olga Lindo, William Devlin, and George Hayes, the more happily employed. Hits from “Over She Goes ” On the musical side, one of the highlights of “Over She Goes,’” to be staged in Hamilton on January 10, is the waltz duel, “The Dance Goes On,” while “I Breathe on Windows” and “Side By Side,” with its hilarious intent and its effective acrobatic ballet, run close for honours. Christmas Presents for Circus Two Christmas presents have arrived at Sole Bros.’ circus, the latest being at Palmerston North when a tiny black l'oal of toy dimensions was born to one of the six-year-old trick ponies, which stand 3ft Gin high. This young colt is exactly 15 inches above ground level at* his highest point, amt l*s taking bottled sustenance in the form of brandy and milk. A Reshus (Indian) monkey was born at Eketahuna to one of the monkey “jockeys” for the ponies. He Spoke Almost All Right! At the London Hippodrome one night, when Donald Burr, who is to appear in Hamilton on January 10 in “Over She Goes,” came' through the stage door he was greeted by a group of gills one of whom seized upon him and asked: —“Mr Burr, are you an American >" ‘•Yes, | am,” ho replied. “Well, she said, “we have had an argument about it. It is wonderful—you speak almost all right." Britain’s Best Romantic Actross. Diana Wynyard, given a good role, is now the best romantic young actress on the British stage, says a writer in the London Daily Mail. We have many excellent actresses among the younger generation; but few who can naturally handle scenes of genuine romance. She has just opened in a romantic comedy, "The Silent Knight,” written In blank verse—rather a bold experiment. An exceptionally lino supporting cast includes Ralph Richardson, Margaret Scott, Lvn Harding. I.aidinan Browne, Anflionv lUinyle. and Glare Harris.The play has been adapted by the i. Humbert Wolfe, from the Hungarian of Eugene Heitai.