STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 17 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS

HAMILTON'S CRYING NEED SOME COMING ATTRACTIONS Return Tour by Fay Compton The company headed by Fay Compton will do a short return tour through New Zealand, staging the amusing comedy ‘’George and Margaret." Easter will be spent in Wellington. Hamilton will not be included in the tour, as “George and Margaret" was staged here during the original tour, when the other towns saw only -Victoria Regina/’ Hamilton’s Crying Need of a Hall At a meeting of ministers and member* of churches this week the matter of a large marquee was suggested in view of there being no suitable hall in Hamilton. The Operatic Society is considering the holding of a concert on behalf of the funds of the society, but finds itself faced with the same difficulty—the lack of a suitable hall. Some halls are too small to allow of a satisfactory profit being made, while the rental of the theatres is too high for such an entertainment. Personality Artists for Hamilton • Of Howard Milholland, humorist and impersonator, and Eva Garcia, pianist, wrho are to appear in Hamilton shortly, the Wellington Dominion said: — If the ‘personality’ artists who are to follow are as gifted, as captivating and as entertaining, then the series’ will be welcome. Mr Milholland, tall, greyhaired and polished in manner, is primarily a reciter, a teller of tales, but Is also a singer, a recouteur and a fine actor, \Vith a resonant voice, attuned to every mood, who speedily won his way into the hearts of his audience. Eva Garcia is a charming pianist, petite and black-haired, and Spanish. 3lfre. is as vital in her work as in her appearance, exercising magic in her delicacy of touch, her line sense of contrast, her strength, and natural gift of rhythm. ■aster In New Zeeland The Stanley McKay Gaieties will open a season at Auckland to-day and will stay there over the Easter holidays. In Wellington the Easter attraction will be the Fay Compton company in “George and Margaret." The Frank Neil revue, headed by ■ll a Shields and Jim Gerald, will be in Christchurch. The Connors and Paul revue, with Syd Beck leading the funmaking, and Sole Brothers’ Circus will be in the North Island. Accident to Gladys Moncrleff There will be widespread regret at the news of the serious accident to Gladys Moncrleff, the popular stage and radio star, and lan Iredale, her manager, and everyone will wish them s speedy and complete recovery. When in Sydney recently I found Miss Moncrleff, at her home at Bondi, looking forward eagerly to her broadcasting tour of New Zealand this month. She told me that she always enjoyed her tours of the Dominion, where she has many friends. Miss Moncrleff is noted for her generosity and Is looked upon as one of the greatest hearted women in the profession. May she soon be well enough to delight us again with her beautiful singing. Madga Kllloit Returns from London “ Tell everybody that Cyril and I hope to be back here in a show’ in a year’s time,’* said Madge Elliott (Mrs Cyril Rltchard), on arrival in Sydney by the Monterey. Miss Elliott Is on a five weeks’ visit to her parents. Dr. and Mrs N. P. Elliott, of Randwick, after an absence of two years and a-half. She has Just finished appearing as the Prince in the pantomime, “ Cinderella,” and has broken a stage" tradition by appearing as principal boy in this pantomime for two years in succession. When Miss Elliott left London her husband had scored a big personal success in the revue, “ Nine c harp,” in which he sings, dances and tragedy. Before this he appeared to the play, “ People in Love,” opposite Greta Nissen, the well-known film star. When Miss Elliott returns to London it is possible that she and Mr Rltchard will dance together in a musical show. They recently appeared in an Empire" broadcast with Florence Austral and John Amadio, In which they sang the song, “ Sentimental,” from ” Blue Roses.” Miss Elliott brought news of wellknown Australian stage stars, who are successful abroad. Nellie Barnes Is In pantomime. Frank Leighton is appearing in a film. Leo Franklin is touring with Carl Brisson, and Vera Pearce is in a new’ comedy.