STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20576, 13 August 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Hamiltonians Going to Auckland Quite a number of Hamilton people, of whom I hope to be one, intend go- ; ing to Auckland next week to see Ruth Draper, whose art is said to be so unique that it is almost impossible to describe—character actress and impersonator are hopelessly inadequate terms. Miss Draper, alone on the stage, peoples it with many characters—of the imagination. “Balalaika” This Month The New Zealand tour of 44 Balalaika,” the spectacular and colourful musical play with a Russian setting, will commence at Wellington on August 29. Revivals of “ Rose Marie ” and “ Desert Song ” will be staged by the same company. Ralph Lynn’s £70,000 Theatre Brighton, England, is to have by March of next year a modern luxurious 1800-seater theatre, with a policy to include “try-outs” for important London productions as well as continuance of West End runs. Ralph Lynn, chairman of the promoting company, Southern Counties’ Theatres, Ltd., said that the theatre, which will cost £70,000, has a remarkably fine site. There will be a large revolving stage, ample back-stage space and equipment, armchair type of seating (with plenty of leg-room), and a gentle curve to the stall-rows. Fay Compton Criticises Sydney Fay Compton, whose company did not draw large audiences in Sydney, is pessimistic about the theatre*in Australia. “How can you hope to work up any real play-going public,” she said', “when the professional stage offers only one or two straight plays in a year? People say they are starved for plays. Yet when something good comes along, they simply stay away. “There is no support for the drama here, and, as far as 1 can see, there is not likely to he. The only hope is a national theatre. Then the classics could be presented in proper style; and a visiting artist would find a good supporting company ready to hand. “It was suggested that I stay and play the part of Juliet. I said; ‘Not on your life. Shakespeare would never draw an audience in Sydney. The public Is not ready for hlmV Chinese Magician for New Zealand An outstanding attraction which will appear in Melbourne during September will he Chang, a master magician with a brilliant company of Chang is not the usual type of magician. His many years of training and study of the art nf illusion enable him to present spectacles of beauty combined with mystery and magic. One of his productions is entitled “ A Trip to Hades.” Chang will come to New Zealand