ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20887, 19 August 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

"Wildflower” Revived In Sydney The musical comedy "Wildflower” will be revived in Sydney on Tuesday night, with Marie Burke in her oil role of Nina. Melton Moore will have Herbert Browne’s part of Guido, and also ;n the cast will be Don Nicol, Marie, la Varre, Magda Neeld (in New Zealand with the “Hollywood Hotel” revue), Charles Albert and George Dobbs. Specialty dances will be given by Tamara Tohinarova and Valentin Gcglovsky, formerly of the Russian Ballet. £5 for Seat for Ballet I have received a copy of The Govent Garden Russian Ballet’s programme for the London season which started in June. It was quite interesting to see the Covent Garden prices. A balletomane in London can spend an afternoon at the Ballet for a shilling —in gallery seats, oi course-—but according to the pian of the theatre, they look a mighty long way away. Top price for the first night and premieres is £5 for a grand tier box. The Ballet will be back in Australia in October. Alec Regan Leaving New Zealand New Zealand will lose one of the outstanding personalities of its entertainment world at the end of this month when Alec Regan will leave Wellington to take up an appointment in Australia. Mr Regan was for a long time a popular light comedian with the Clem Dawe’s “Midnight Frolics.” Subsequently he became manager of the Regent Theatres in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and the Majestic Theatre in Wellington. Group of New Zealand Dancers Creator of the modern expressive school of dancing and formerly professor of choreography at the State Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in Vienna, Madame Gertrude Bodenwieser, now in Wellington, intends to make her home there and to form a group of young New Zealand dancers, similar to the gToup which, trained by her in Vienna, has been acclaimed in the cities of Europe. "I would never have thought that there existed a country of such beauty and a people of such extraordinary kindness,” was Madame Bodenwieser’s tribute to New Zealand. She hopes that soon her husband, Professor Friedrich Rosenthal, may be •able to join her here. Till recently Professor Rosenthal was dramaturgist and producer at the Vienna Burirtheatcr. He has written many authoritative works on the theatre, and is now producing some ancient plays on the stage of the Court of the Sorbonne, Paris. Madame Bodenwieser said she was happy that her conductor and pianist, Marccll Lorber, had been able to come to New Zealand with her. Madame Bodenwieser was asked whether slip did not fool that she would miss, in New Zealand. I lie artistic associations of older lands. "To be a pioneer, that is something,” -die said. “In Europe they have everything: here, in a new counfry, one can hope lo create, lo build up—or does I hat.” she smiled, “sound 100 arrogant?” "Swinging” Shakespeare ! Now that the Federal Theatre Project has established the swing version of “The Mikado” in New York, it is trying out the same idea with Shakespeare. A modern adaption of “The Taming of the Shrew,” with swing music, all-in-wrestling. custard-pie knockabout, and a negro cast, is being toured by Hie Seattle unit of the Federal Theatre Project. Film Stars for London Stage Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon, former film stars, may be seen on the legitimate stage tliis autumn, as co-stars West End of London. They are still on holiday hi •is p .ned till their return. Another Book on the Ballet On July It Adam and Charles Black published in London "Balletomane's Album.” by Arnold L. Haskell, containing 180 illustrations from the author’s photographs. Haskell’s “Balletomane’s Scrapbook” was published three years ago and sold rapidly to ballet, enthusiasts all over the world. Since that time Mr Haskell lias followed the work of the Russian Ballet in Europe, America, and Australia; he has a new collection of photographs, formal and informal, of members of the company at work and at play, j and he has accompanied these with I a running commentary.

■ Stage Attractions In Australia In Sydney, “Wildflower,” with Marie Burke, is succeeding “Leaning j on Letty,” with Charlotte Greenwood, j and “Gaslight.” a melodrama, will 1 follow “The Women.” ! In Melbourne, “Libel,” a strong | drama, has just opened, with a cast , including lan Keith, Jane Connolly, I Reginald Ncwson, Harvey Adams, j Lloyd Lamble, Hori Thomas (the New Zealander), and Dorothy Dunckley. | The big Ice Show is also having a j record season. j In Adelaide, "Under Your Hat,” a i sparkling musical comedy, has been 1 staged, with Edwin Styles and Marg--1 cry Gordon in the roles which were i taken in London by Jack llulbert and ( Marjorie Gordon. George Robey In Sydney George Robey, for years known as "Britain's Prime Minister of Mirth,” has had a very successful season in i Sydney under the Frank Neil management, and will open at Sydnev tonight. Magda Neeld in "Wildflower” j Magda Neeld, a Sydney girl, has been selected to play Bianca, one of the most important roles in “Wildflower,” in which Marie Burke will be seen in Sydney on August 22. Magda Neeld returned from three years in England and North America, where she had worked mostly with leading bands, incliiding Jack Hylton's. 1 She toured New Zealand with the ; “Hollywood Revue” company, but refused an offer to go on to America, j Richard Crooks, when in Sydney, Igave her an audition and said she had ja most promising voice. Glasses of Beer for Audiences The Keith Prowse sensation, "Beer Barrel Polka,” is the finale feature in the new Palladium "Band Waggon,” and glasses of beer are given freely throughout the audience, says a London paper. Cyril Ritchard Entertains Royalty I Mrs N. P. Elliott, of Randwick, Sydney, mother of Madge Elliott, musical comedy star, has had a letter from England telling her of Cyril Ritchard’s success in his newest play, “The Little Revue,” at the Little Theatre. One night when Lord and Lady Gif- , ford attended, Cyril and the rest of ; the company were delighted to notice : the King and Queen sitting informally , among the audience. They had not j announced their intention of attending, ; and after the show they left quietly j like private citizens. j Noel Coward’s New Plays 1 j Noel Coward is to present and act i , in two plays, written by himself, in j London. A comedy and a serious play, ; ' they .will be given on alternate nights, : tin; idea being that when plays are I j changed over the players are freshened j i by the relief from monotony. ! With Mr coward will lie Leonora •' i C"H»rTt, Moya Nugent, and Joyce! Carey. j In “Sweet Sorrow,” a comedy de- { scribed as "tenuous and brittle,” lie Plays a seventy-year-old actor; in the I serious play, which deals with the life of a Glapham family, ] IC will be a working-class man. It is planned to open in Manchester on September IS and 19, and piny for two weeks before going on to Glasgow and Edinburgh, 'flic London openings will be on October 10 and 17.