ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Vienna Boys’ Choir Delight Auckland Of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, whicl will appear in Hamilton on Monda; night, an Auckland paper said : The Vienna Mozart Boys’ Choir hep a large audience spell-bound by th> lovely quality of their fresh younj voices and by th<» refinement and res traint of their Ringing—sinking sucl as has seldom, if ever, been heard her* before. Judging from the delightful per forrnance listeners will be deeply im pressed by the purity of the tona emission o*f these charming lads whicl hn« the flute-like quality of the Eng r-h cathedral chorister. It will als< be found that, in Dr. C.eorg Gruber the choir has a magnetic conduct-0' who jp able to obtain from its member: the utmost refinement in vocal expres sion. The ensemble consists of twenty lad 1 whose ages range from nine to fifteen They are a fine wholesome looking lo of boys. Some News from Melbourne A friend in Melbourne, writing thi: The return season of the Bussiai Ballet was a prpat success. Melbourne again went “Ballet mad.’’ The spectacular musical play “Th> Waltz Dream,” had a success here, saw it twice. It is now in Sydney whth the same cast. The Casino Revue opened on Satur day. i will see it later, when it i: pruned and improved upon. It is ii the rough at present, I hear. Violet Carlson, the diminutive Americar comedienne, who was in New Zealanr with “Balalaika” and the last Frank Neil revue, has made a great success in this. I went to the seeond performance of “Black Limelight." This is a mos thrilling play, and Lina Basquetfe i.‘ wonderful in the role that Margaret Rawlings created in London. The audience is in suspense from start, ol the play to the thrilling finale. Dc not miss it If It comes to New Zealand. Also “Idiot’s Delight.” by the same company, you must not miss, if you like the unusual in dramatic fare. Gladys MoncriefT has left for New Zealand for a radio and health trip combined. It is now a year since that terrible accident she had at Geelong. Did you see the picture “Pygmalion.” Bernard Shaw’s comedy? It is a b'rr success here and has been running for weeks. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and if you have not seen it go and enjoy it like I did. Gladys MoncriefT Talks of Theatre The theatre in Australia seemed to be holding its own. said Gladys Monerieff. the Australian singer-actress, on arrival in New Zealand. Before leaving Sydney she saw the "Waltz Dream” in Sydney. It was a very beautiful show with its Strauss music. Bernice Claire, an American, and Marie Bremner had the principal parts. Jack Arthur was the male lead and Melton Moore the juvenile lead. She thoroughly enjoyed the performance. “but.” she said, “they don't write music like that now.” Another “Farewell” Tour . Sir Harry Lauder, the great Scottish comedian, may visit New Zealand towards the end of the year. He is at present recovering from an injury suffered 10 months ago. It is reported that he will start on a world tour during the summer—what, another farewell tour ! Which reminds one of the following story : “I am going to make my farewell tour in Shakespeare.” said the old actor. “What shall be the play ? Hamlet ? Macbeth?” “This is your sixth farewell tour, I believe.** “Well, yes." “T should suggest ‘Much Adieu About Nothing.” Recitals by New Zealand Dancer A young dancer for whom a brilliant future has been predicted. Rowena Jackson, will give a recital at Invercargill on May i. The branches of the Australasian Society of Operatic Dancing are organising a fund to enable this brilliant young dancer to continue her studies abroad, and she will give a recital In each of the centres. When the Covent Garden Russian Ballet was in Auckland, Baronova and Anton Dolin, the two leading members, were so greatly impressed with Rowena’s dancing that they offered to guarantee her two years’ free tuition in Paris provided a sufficient sum was eolleeted in New Zealand to assist her and her mother in Paris during that period. Actress Must Have Shapely Legs It does not matter whether you dance, sing, play aged mothers or ingenue roles upon the stage—you must have a shapely pair of legs if you are to be a success. This is the opinion of Doris Packer. American actress, who plays a leading part in Clare Boothe's much-talked-of play. “The Women,” now in Auck-

Farewell to McKay’s Gaieties a Stanley McKay’s Gaieties, who har v been entertaining Hamilton play-goer tiiis week, will give their farewell per ,1 formance to-night. p A special gala performance is pro s miseci. Big American Revue for Hamilton n , The big American revue, “Hollywoo Hotel." now drawing large audience -in f-iie South Island, will be seen i - Hamilton on June 5 and 0. i! Another early attraction for Hamil h ton is Chang, the Chinese magiciar - who will open a New Zealand tour a o Auckland on May 3. r “Stag” Farty to Bridegroom-Elect s j Prospective bride? are given kttehei - ev. .lines, bathroom teas. etc., by thei I girl friends, but. on Monday night ii s ! Hamilton the men took a hand and gav i. 1 a -.stag*’ partv to Mr W. Whitehead d whose marriage In Miss Muriel Rees j is taking place Ibis afternoon, j Mr Whitehead, whose ability as ! pianist is well known, and his pros s ! pective bride are very popular i; ' (»peratic Society. Performers’ Club am I other circles, and their health wa n j toasted with enthusiasm. e On behalf of those present Mr Mai colrn l’.urdis handed Mr Whitehead a *1 electric kettle, with good -wishes fo 1 happiness and prosperity. A happy time wag spent in music j song and story. s He is a Clever Young Man J 1 People visiting the theatre an marvelling at some outstanding tur or other often fail to realise just wh is largely responsible for the succes ' of tie whole production. | Take the ease of Max Reddy, fo n instance. With the Stanley McKa . Gaieties Max is seen on the stage, an. . wins popularity with his likeabl \ personality, his clever dancing and hi p sifts as a light comedian. Most peopl C will probably let it go at that! 3 | But Max is the producer of tin Gaieties, and the audience hardly real fse just how much of the success of ; , show depends on the man who weld: j all the ingredients into a perfect whole j He can make or mar it. Then there is the work Max does a: “feeder” to the comedians. Peoph t laughing at a comedian's “comeback' answers do not always realise just hov • much of their success has b°er brought about by the manner in wliic-f • they have been “fed” by the “straight’ [ . man. ' Max Reddy Is a clever and versatile | young man. I Saw Her In Opera When in Melbourne a few year? ago I was much impressed by the performance of an Australian gjir who had been given a chance to pla) * Gilda in “Rigoletto” with the Grant : Opera Company imported by Sii ; Benjamin Fuller. j That girl was Magda Neeld, now in

s i New Zealand with the American ■'Hollywood Hotel" revue company, n After her success in opera the 1 Australian girl went abroad, and bei, came vocalist with Jack Hylton’s ft > well-known band. On returning she o i was engaged for •■Hollywood Hotel." n American revues are usually very s weak on the singing side, but with r the inclusion of Magda Neeld that t i cannot be said of "Hollywood Hotel." i The chief male singer in the revue ; is Robert Berry, an American. , Buns and Ginger Beer for Kiddles Children of the poor in Sydney were t invited to a free entertainment and 0 | distribution of ginger beer and buns at Wirth’s Circus on Good Friday at . : 6.30 a.m. - Messrs Philip and George Wirth f organised the programme, which was - contributed to by clowns, tumblers, j elephants, ponies and dogs.