“VICTORIA REGINA ”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20422, 12 February 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

“VICTORIA REGINA ”

LONG RUN IN LONDON Of the plays now running in Londor "Victoria Regina,” which is nearing ID 300th performance, is proving the most popular. Palema Stanley, the leading woman, has her forehead shaved every night to make It high, and so portray Queen Victoria more faithfully. “Victoria Regina” is now bein; played in New Zealand. willi Fa>

Compton in tin- hiding n*k. Freddie Bartholomew is to star I Metro's “Lord .lefl'.” Walter Ferris li been assigned lo do tln* screen pin .loan Blundell’s m-\t lead f..r Waters will be in “Men Are Such Fool? Luise Rainer is t* * shir with Walla Beery in Metro’s “Madelon.” Pn.duelinn mi ’M.«d About Musi, is being held up by an arpunie.nl b. I ween I Deanna Durbin management, who want in-*i• mon.

! STIMULATING CONTACTS ■ SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE •One of the delights of a visit to Sydney is the manner in which one is* continually running into people unexpectedly. On my first, afternoon in Sydney, going along Pitt Street. I met “Jimmy” O’Grady, formerly of the staff of the Waikato Times and now prominent in commercial life in Australia. -Mr O’Grady was interested to learn of happenings in Hamilton, and sent greetings to friends there. Another day while motoring through Bondi, I was told “Gladys Moncrieff lives in that house.” Going in to see Miss Moncrieff, I found her full of happy memories of New Zealand and expecting to go back soon. She

is kept busy broadcasting, and sang “Land of Hope and Glory” at the Anniversary Day demonstration. She was very interested to learn of the success of the Hamilton Operatic Society’s production of “Rio Rita.” in which she scored one of her greatest hits. She sent good wishes for the society's I continued success. j Edwin Dennis, at one time promin- : out in musical circles in Hamilton, is in business in Sydney, and also acts as condin\ir of the Eastern Suburbs Musical Si/lety at Bondi. Last year “The Belle of New York” was produced very successfully. Richard Fair, a New Zealand actor formerly in dramatic work, runs a morning session at one of the radio stations. • * • • Mr Lewis, formerly manager of the Civic Theatre in Hamilton, is one of the many people “flatting” at King’s Cross. I ran into him the morning after his arrival from New ZealandLeo Darnton, at one time principal lenor in Gilbert and Sullivan opera, is teaching in Sydney. Recently he took the leading tenor role in “The Yeomen of the Guard” with the Sydney Operatic Society.

Dino Borgioli, the Italian tenor, is drawing large audience-s at his concerts, which are broadcast. He appears in solo recitals and opera, and with the Symphony Orchestra. Walter George is full of ideas for the Hamilton Operatic Society’s next production, and was pleased to hear of the members’ continued enthusiasm. lam spending next Sunday at Mr George’s orange farm in the country, when operatic affairs will be well discussed. • • • • Nellie Bramley, heroine of a hundred melodramas and at one time one of the most popular figures on the Australian and New Zealand stage, and her husband, William Russell, have a hotel in Sydney. * * • • Gaston Mervale, for some tlip,e producer to the Auckland Little Theatre Society, has a very dramatic role in "Balalaida.” • • • • Hopping on to a tram-car I found myself seated opposite Don Nicol, the young comedian who was last in New Zealand with Gladys Moncrieff in “The Merry Widow” and “Maid of the Mountains.” Don is making a great success in the spectacular Russian play, “Balalaika,” with which he expects to go to New Zealand about Easter. * • * * Humphrey Bishop, who for several years ran his own company in New Zealand, produced the modernised version of tlie oratoria “Elijah” for the Sydney Choral Society this week. It is a very different “Elijah,” with scenery, dancing, costumes, etc. Walter Kingsley, Mr Bishop’s brother, alternated the title role with Raymond Beatty.