ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21158, 6 July 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

ACTIVITIES OF THE STAGE

“Giving the Bride Away” in Sydney There are plenty of laughs in ‘‘Giving the Bride Away,” the new farce by “Margot Neville” at the Minerva, says Sydney Sun. The story concerns the efforts of n determined, matchmaking mother to marry her daughter off to a scat-ter-brained young man whose one idea is to escape. The daughter’s chief occupation seems to be tending sick cows, and she has about as much idea of romance as a turnip. Jane Conolly, normally so bright and vivacious, thought she had made a failure as the bovine daughter, and shed tears in her dressing-room. Eut Jane needn’t have worried. She put in some good work and was a most effective foil to the farcical folk. Lily Moore (sister of Mrs E. Mcßeath, the well-known producer of amateur productions), as the maid with a Lancashire accent, got all the fun out of the part. Charles Norman, as the unwilling bridegroom, romped through the farcical scenes with a zest and an infectious enthusiasm that made the ■world seem brighter. He was ably assisted by Don Nicol. “Patience” in Sydney Although “Patience” deals with an aesthetic vogue which pins the satire to a special period, the uniformly tuneful music ensures a popular appeal. That this is so was demonstrated once more on Saturday night, says a Sydney paper.

There is a sequence of neatlyturned satire directed against the Wilde group, which rose to the empyrean heights of poesy and walked “down Piccadilly with a poppy or a lily.” The audience appreciated to the full that fact that Gilbert was not gilding the lily, but was very busy debunking it, and doing that debunking most effectively. It is easy to imagine, therefore, with what joy the satire was received when it was written and how audiences appreciated the manner in which it punctured the artificial aestheticism then becoming fashionable. Assuredly it was an amusing commentary on the current cult. The opera still has its humourous appeal but its chief charm today lies in its colour and beauty and its delicious music. Viola Wilson is delightful as the dairymaid heroine, and she and Gregory Stroud sang the lovely “Willow” duet so effectively that the audience was spellbound. Another big hit was the sextette and chorus “Of an old, old love, long dead,” which was splendidly done. Ivan Menzies was in great form as Bunthorne, the bunkum poet. Longest Run in London With 1467 performances at Victoria Palace, London, “Me and My Girl” has passed both the “Beggar's Opera” (1920) and “Charley’s Aunt” totals. Only “Chu Chin Chow” now boasts a longer run. George Gee in London George Gee, formerly popular in musical comedy in New Zealand and .Australia, ha» just made a big hit in the war revue, “Present Arms,” in London.

Happy Party in Hamilton A happy little party took place in Hamilton on Saturday night, when Laylee Bridger and John Stephens, who are to be married next week, were entertained. It took place in Mr W. Whitehead’s studio, and Mrs Whitehead, assisted by Mrs A. Cope, acted as hostess. The singing of Mr Stephens, whose voice has rounded considerably since he went to Auckland, and who mentioned that he recently had the benefit of several hours’ interview with Mr Oscar Natzke, gave keen pleasure. Mr Whitehead gave some of those rollicking patriotic songs of his own composition which have become so popular, and songs were also given by Messrs Malcolm Burdis and A. Cope, while Mr David Reid revelled in some funny burlesques of drama. A gay atmosphere prevailed, and it was certainly one of the most pleasant parties I have attended. Hamiltonian in Sydney Play Betty Welch, formerly of Hamilton, received high praise for her performance in “Biography,” a powerful play produced by the Independent Theatre, under the direction of Doris Filton. The Sydney Morning Herald described her performance as “brilliantly brittle, which was just what it should have been.” London Revues for Sydney The London revues, “Black Velvet,” “The Little Dog Laughed” and “Black and White,” are to be presented at Sydney Tivoli shortly. Laurel and Hardy, the film comedians, are also due for an early appearance on the Tivoli circuit. Phil Smith and Minnie Love, musical comedy favourites, are touring the Sydney suburbs in “Widows are Wonderful.”