Visits by Overseas Artists

Chronicle (Levin), 13 December 1948, Page 7

Visits by Overseas Artists

Press Association )

(Per

, (AUCKLAND, Dec. 10. A numbftr of outstandmg theat're attractions jn, ' wliich leading overseas artists will appea'r iiaVe been planned for New Zealand. Details of ' the arrangements were giyen yestexday by Mr. J. H., Tait, , managing director of J. C, Williamson Theatres, Ltd., when he arrived at Auckland in the liner Aorangi on his way back to Sydney. He has just .eompleted a tour of England and the "United States. Mr. Tait said the best play now being presented in London and New York was "Edward, My tSon. ' ' It was likely to run for another two years in New York. There_ he had met 'the famous Lnglish actor Robert Morley, who was playing- the leading -role. His compauy vvhs noiv arranging for Mr. Morley to come to New Zealand and Austraiia about next September to present the play. Mr. Morley had shown a keen desire to visit New Zealand and Austraiia and said he would probably cease his performances in New York in April or May to make the tour possible. (ine object of his trip, Mr. Tait continued, was to eomplete arrangements for American artists to take part in a production of the.musical play "Oklahoma" which would be 'presented in New ZetJland and Austraiia next year. Cight or nine Americans, specially selected to give the production its correct atmosphere, would syrrive iu Aucktraiia shortly. The men responsible for tlie snow, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hamnierstein, had he'lped Mr. Tait to choose the performers. "Oklahoma" would eomplete its seeond year in' London in March. Another great musieal success, " Annie Oet Your Oun," would also be brought to New Zealand. Mr. Tait said he had me't the stage , artist Ray Bolger, who was now playiiig in 'a musicai version of "Charley's Aunt" in New York. He had visite'J oydney during the war and was very interested in the possibiiity of an Ausiralian and New Zealand tour. . The American baritouo Todd" Duncau would be eoming back to New Zealand and his concerts would open in Auckland next June, said Mr. Tait. He had arranged for . the contralto Marian Aiulerson to make a tour in 1950. He met Marjorie Lawrence in the United iiates. Bhe uould be visiting New , Zealand iu tlie near futurc. The pianist t'nina Balzinan would probably make a oturu visit to New Zealand iu 1950. Discussing arrangements for the New 'ea land tour of the Italian (Jrand Opera ■ 'oiupany uext year, Mr. Tait said it v. as the most ambitious theatrical evenl over planned. At least 100 members of Ihe coiujiany, priucipals, chorus aud stalf, would l>e brought liere after the Australian tour aud 46 members of the National Bvmphony Orchestra would be engaged. Expenses in Austraiia ainouuted to £7000 a week and the fares for the 30 priucipals from Italy'to Austraiia amounted to £6000. The chorus of 40 had been chosen I'rom 1000 singers iu Austraiia. Thc company played for 15 weeks in VI eJ bourne to packed houses It would spend 12 weeks in N^w Zealand, abou. three of them in Auckland Some uun or ten operas would be presented in New Zealand. The Dominion visit would not have been possible without tlie a sistanee of the Government and the broadeasting service.