ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20833, 17 June 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Another Revue for Hamilton Bobby Morris, the diminutive comedian who was here with the "Hollywood Hotel” revue, did not leave for America with the rest of the company this week. He has gone into the "Funz-a-Poppin” revue, which will open a New Zealand tour at Auckland to-night and will come to Hamilton later. The company is headed by the noted marionette show' “Salici’s Parisian Puppets,” which have become a tradition in the theatrical life of London, New York and Paris. So delicate is the artistry of their manipulation that they appear almost human, dancing, playing and acting in an amazingly lifelike manner. Also in the company are Ross and Edwards, comedians; Tommy (“Bozo ) Snyder, pantomime artist; Carr Bros and Bettv, specialty artists: Green and Lang, song duellists; Loretta Grey, comedienne; the Van Twins, song and dance performers; Jack Bickle, acrobatic dancer; and the Twelve Debutantes, ballerinas. New Zealand Actor In Sydney Writing me from Sydney this week. Hori Thomas, the ** tall, dark and handsome " New Zealand actor, who was last here in “ Balalaika,” says that he is appearing in “ Black Limelight,” after the run of “ Idiot's Delight,” at the new Minerva Theatre at King's Cross, Sydney. Mr Thomas says of this theatre: “ The Minerva is very modern and comfortable. The dressing-rooms are a joy—huge mirrors with light all round, air-conditioned, hot and cold water plus needle showers, and done out in pale green and cream. You can Imagine the difference after some of the theatres in which we have appeared! By the way, Mr Thomas appeared for some time in Melbourne in the London Casino Revue, in which Violet Carlson, the diminutive American comedienne of “ Balalaika ” was one of the principals. Mr Thomas and Lloyd Lamble, whose Danny in “ Night Must Fall ” will always be remembered by those who saw it, appeared in a burlesque of The Women,” called “ The Men,” in the revue. It was very funny. Mr Thomas says: “ The weather has been superb since we have been here, and I have been able to sun-bathe every morning for two hours. A Sydney autumn is unsurpassable. The days are sunny and beautifully mild, with a soft warm light that makes the trees and gardens on the Point beau- ’ tiful, while Bushcutlers’ Bay, just below me, is full of white yachts at anchor, glistening in the sunlight. I love the skylines here. It's a lovely spot.’* Fay Compton In “Hamlet” Fay Compton, who was in New Zealand last year in ‘‘Victoria Regina,” is appearing with John Gielgud in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in London. Next year they hope to do “Macbeth.” Grade Fields Sells Her Home Grace Fields, who was recently reported to be seeking a divorce from her husband, has sold Green Trees, her London home in St. John’s Wood, which is to be re-opened as a private bridge club. Grade also owned two adjoining bouses. With the Completion of legal formalities, all three passed to the club. The deal involved more than £25,000. Among the fittings included in the 6ale are crystal chandeliers in tho principal rooms, valued at £250 each, and ‘‘Grade’s Bar,” at which she entertained her frisnds In the drawing room. When the club opens the bar and its signplate will still be there. Twice Grade nearly called the deal ofT. Once it was because of the goldfish in the garden pond; another time because of her attachment for the beautifully laid-out garden, now looking its best.

All-Australian Play In London The Torch Theatre’s next production in London will be a new first play by a young Australian named David Athens.

The title is “Jam To-morrow” (from the famous dictum of the White (or was it the Red?) Queen in “Alice,” that it is always “jam yesterday and jam to-morrow, but never jam today”), and the setting is Australian country life, the theme being the problems of the settlers from both the Government amt the settlers’ viewpoints. The cast is to be all-Australian, as is the producer, Gerald Cooper. Dante Breaks Records in England Dante, the magician, who has toured New Zealand on several occasions, concludes his successful “Kim Sala Rim” season in England this month, and after three months on the continent returns for more tours in England. Dante’s has been the mnsf commercially successful variety show of the decade, says a London paper. Dame Sybil Thorndike Smokes a Pipe Dame Sybil Thorndike is learning to smoke a corn cob pipe for her first television part—that of the old woman in “Sun T'p.” the drama of the North Carolina Mountains. Esmond Knight, Edmund Willard. Betty .Tardine, and Harry Hutchison are in the cast. Help for New Zealand Dancer The Christchurch Operatic Society and the dancing teachers of the city irave an entertainment at Christchurch on Wednesday night on behalf of the brilliant young New Zealand dancer, Mowena Jackson, who is to be sent abroad for further study. Striking Figures of Ballet Tour Proof of the popularity of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet company is contained in the figures for the Australian and New Zealand tour. During the season of slightly more than six months 261.i00 people saw the company, or 10.000 a week. About 105.000 attended n Melbourne, *6.000 in Sydney. 72.000 in New Zealand and 18,000 in Adelaide. When the company returns in the sprint: it will bring 13 ballets which were not in the last repertoire. Most of them will be new to Australia and New Zealand. Gilbert and Sullivan In America The D’Oyiy Carte Opera Company, with a Gilbert and Sullivan opera repertoire. concluded its successful American tour on May 13 at Bbstun.

Chang 111 and Cannot Appear For the first time in 25 years of theatrical performing, Chang's company had to put off its appearance at Christchurch on Friday and Saturday nights. Chang himself was seriously ill. and was in hospital. Other members of the company had influenza. After the Wellington season the company will set sail, via Sydney, for Lisbon. Appearances Timaru and Oamaru had to be cancelled. Traveloque Commentator Amuses Sydney # “And so we come to that part of New South Wales which is known as ‘the Blue Hills',” says the familiar drawling “Voice of the Globe.” James Fitzpatrick, in his latest travel film, “Glimpses of Australia.” And all Sydney laughs when It hears its famous mountains described as hills. “The Hills have got their names because of the characteristic blue haze Which always hangs over them,” lie goes on to explain. And he gives his audience a second laugh* when he shows the gallant lifesavers in action at Rondi. “These are the lifeguards,” says Mr Fitzpatrick, knowingly. Mystery Play for New Sydney Theatre In accordance with a previously announced policy of frequent changes of' presentation. Mr David Martin presented a new play. “Black Limelight,” at the Minerva Theatre, Sydney, on Thursday night, in succession to “Idiot’s Delight.” Lina Basquette has the part created for Margaret Rawlings, and Henry Mollison that taken byv Conway Tearle. ‘“Black Limelight” is a murder mystery with a new angle. The audience is taken into the confidence of the author from the beginning. and the thrills are provided by the emotional turmoil of the principals and their struggle to clear their names. New Zealander fn London Stafford Byrne, formerly a Wellington amateur, continues to do well in England. His latest engagement is in “The Twenty Club Again,” a light entertainment, in London. Cyril Ritchard’B Success “Cyril Ritchard's alert comedy is wonderfully good.” says the London Era of the Australian actor’s performance in “The Little Revue” in London. The “Angel” and Leslie Howard are Cousins Katrin Rosselle, the Angel of “I Married An Angel,” in Sydney, is a cousin of Leslie Howard, famous film star and actor, whose artistic performances in so many films have made him famous. This information was given by Katrin Rosselle when, with Mr Zane Grey, she was a guest at the Annabella Mannequin School. “Though Leslie Howard, whose real name is Steiner, was horn in Vienna, where I was born, and is a second cousin of mine, I have never met him,” said Miss Rosselle. “Of course I am dying to meet him and if ever I go to England I hope 1 ; shall. I would like to go and see him

in ‘Pygmalion.’ but they tell me T would never understand the English, as T have only been speaking your language for such a short, time—so short that I ain sad because I cannot understand any jokes that arc told,” she added. Miss Rosselle Ihrn showed her audience the likeness » between the shape of her head and that of Leslie Howard. “This long shape, runs in the Steiner family,” she said. She Was Original “Merry Widow” Carrie Moore Australia’s original ' Merry Widow” writes from Hollywood to the Sydney Sun : “I am settled in a lovely apartment here with gum trees round the door. Have been giving screen tests for Paramount and they are being nice to me. “I met the Rev. Jardine. who married the Windsors. Also his wife. He is starting a church of his own here, and lias asked me to sing a solo at the opening. I shall sing ‘The Lost Chord.’ "I have been staying with Mrs Henry Bracy. and. to remind her of her old successes on the Australian stage, her son. s> dney. and I sang Gilbert and Sullivan to her. [ am very slim now and m\ hair is au naturel.” Ruth Draper’s Lighted Map Maps have assumed ;i new importance lately, particularly as geography changes overnight. Ruth Draper, who created something of a sensation with her dramatic work in New Zealand last year, has a map which takes up half her drawing-room wall, and it is done in allegorical style and painted in pastel colours. Miss Draper intends marking all the cities and towns she has visited with tiny coloured lights. The point is. how much of the map will be visible by the time this inveterate globe-trutlcr . finishes the