MISS SYBIL ARUNDALE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 31 December 1912, Page 21

MISS SYBIL ARUNDALE.

THE GIRL OUT OF THE TRAIN. Auckland theatre-goers have all fallen in love with Miss Sybil Arundale as the gay Gonda Van Der Loo in “ The Girl in the Train.” Out of the train —as a representative of this journal can testify—the London actress is equally irresistible. In an effective blue and white American sailor costume, Miss Arundale looked the picture of radiant health and joyousness. “ I’ve been swimming and playing tennis all the morn-

ing,” she remarked apologetically, “so I’m trying to keep cool now. This is my favourite costume. One has to dress enough on the stage, so give me something simple off!” The charming tout ensemble, however, was justification enough for a lapse from the strictly conventional.

For Miss Arundale is as enthusiastic in outdoor sports as she is in her work. Some two years ago she was specially engaged as principal boy in “Jack and the Beanstalk” in the Australian production when she had the pantomime audiences at her feet. New Zealanders were deprived of seeing her on that occasion, and Miss Arundale, on the conclusion of her season cn the other side, returned Home to the heart of her successes. However she had only been back five weeks when she was a'gain engaged by the J. C. Williamson proprietary to take a leading part in “The Girl in the Train” in Australasia. That they are geed judges no one will gainsay.

In “ Nightbirds,” which will have its premiere on Saturday, Miss Arundale exploits the much-talked of dances — the Bunny-hug, Turkey. Trot and tango, in conjunction with Mr. Edmund Sherras, and as an auxiliary to her song “Every . little . movement has a meaning all its own.” The interpolation of- the dances into the song was

conceived by Miss Arundale, who is nothing if not original.-'J \

“It is all the rage in America,*’ said the actress, ’“and T thought it would be a good idea to put the dancing into the song, and" so make quite a oig part out of an otherwise small one.”

To an acceptable revival of that delightful opera, “The Cingalee,” will be added the charm of seeing Miss Arundale in the title role which she created in London with such pronounced success. “The Cingalee” has been done before in Australasia, but not by the original. The music in it was especially written for her, and her methods of handling the part are as distinctive as herself. For instance, in the Indian dance she has bare feet, and in Sydney and Melbourne she has executed it without shoes. “I shall do the same in New Zealand,” said the actress laughingly, “provided there are no tin-tacks on the stage.” With all her activities, Miss Arundale has time to spare for those less fortunate. In Melbourne just before leaving she organised a fete on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy which realised ever £lOO. It was held in the tropical gardens of the Oriental Hotel

and went off must successfully. Fred Niblo (of Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford fame) and Mr. Walter Kirby were amongst those who contributed items.

A sister of Miss Arundale’s is coming out in March to join J. C. Williamson. She has a soprano voice, and understudies Miss Sybil (who, by the way, has never understudied, but has always played leads). Talent evidently runs in the family. “ Yes, I must go back to London again when my engagement out here terminates, otherwise they’ll be forgetting me.” Not much fear of that, Miss Sybil Arundale!