LONDON CHAT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 65, 10 December 1926, Page 18

LONDON CHAT

BRILLIANT RECEPTION TO PRIME MINISTER

SOME LONDON PLAYS One of the most brilliant receptions of the season was that tendered to the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates at the (Grand Central Hotel in London about the middle of October. New Zealand people went from all parts of the Kingdom and Continent to London to be present at the event to show their love and loyalty to their country and Prime Minister. A London correspondent writes: “It was a rather wonderful affair as it brought New Zealanders together from all parts of the country, and for the first time many became aware that some of their close friends were in England, so the gathering subsequently led to many other engagements, as may well be imagined. Among those present I had a word with Mr. F. Haybittle, who tells me that in all likelihood he may return to Wellington early next year. Mr. H. Smithe, late general manager of the Phoenix Assurance Company, was there, 'in company with his distinguished son, who is now a Doctor of Science and a professor of the faculty of the Manchester University. Mr. B. Rose, son of the late Captain Rose, of Wellington, was also present. He informed me that Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, of Wellington, had been staying with him in Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are to leave next month on their return to Wellington, so are Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott, of Oriental Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fuller, and Mr. Frank Crowther, the musician, from the Wellington His Majesty’s Theatre,- were present. The last-named will return to New Zealand very shortly. Among the guests were also Mr. and Mrs. Midlane, Dr. and Mrs. Gilmer and family, Mr. and Mrs. C. Griffiths (who have been resident in England for some time), Mr. and Mrs. Barltrop, of Newtown (who have been touring Wales and the South of England), and Mr. and Mrs. W. Reid, of Vivian Street. Mr. Reid had the misfortune to injure his leg on the voyage Home, and has only just been able to get'about again. “Sir Thomas Mackenzie and. Sir Francis Bell looked brave in their decorations, and with Lord and Lady Liverpool present, it looked for all the world like a bit of old Wellington. In one corner I saw Sir James Parr, the High Commissioner, Mr. Frank Thompson, Mr. H. T. B. Drew, Mr. L. McKenzie, Mr. M. Myers, K.C., discussing the coal strike, and wondering how it could have been had it occurred in New Zealand. I feel sure that when Mr. Coates saw this great gathering of New Zealanders he could have been excused for forgetting that he had ever . left windy Wellington. The dresses of the ladies were wonderful. Slipper was served from tables on one side of the great hall, whilst the upper hall was reserved for dancers. “People from New Zealand whom you did not meet at the reception were to be met at the great motor show, which was the biggest success of any show yet held in London. So great were the crowds that it was with the greatest difficulty that one could inspect the new aristocrats of the road, which looked so spick and spgn on their stands—models that made one’s mouth water and one’s purse to gape wide open. In my opinion the show was open for too short a time to receive the commercial return it really merited. London at the present time (end of October) is very full, and the shops seem to have mutually agreed to make special shows in honour of the great Empire Conference. “In the theatres, ‘The Farmer’s Wife’ still trudges merrily along, but a contemporary has appeared entitled ‘Devonshire Cream,’ which is just as hcmely-like and humorous as Eden Philpotts’s clever play of rustic manners. ‘The Constant Nymph’ has caught the popular taste and looks as if it will run well. Miss Marie Ney (formerly Fix, of Wellington) plays a responsible part most artistically, ‘lolanthe’ is the latest Gilbert and Sullivan revival by the D’Oyley Carte Company. All the seats for the whole of the season have been sold, so that it can be said with perfect truth that nothing in London exceeds in popularity these wonderful old comic operas. John Galsworthy's new play ‘Escape’ is very entertaining, though it leads to nowllere. It is the story of a man who is accosted in a London park by a woman of doubtful morals, but quite in a casual’ and comparative-, ly innocent way, so that when a policeman in plain clothes seeks to arrest her for soliciting the man defends her. There is a scrap, and the policeman is knocked back on some railings and dies. The man is arrested, tried, proved guilty of manslaughter, and thrown into prison. Seeking a favourable opportunity, he escapes, and it is his seven or eight adventures whilst free that constitute so many episodes in the play—all vastly different and diverting Finally the man is rearrested, and the play ends with him in durance vile once more. ‘Berkeley Square’ is another queer play, the fate of which is in the balance at the time of writing-” “I was at the last night of the •Proms’ last Saturday, and it was one of the most exciting nights I have ever seen. The people in the promenade were packed like sardines; there must have been no less than 2500 in this part. It was a wonderful concert. All was quiet until a fine selection of sea songs, arranged by Sir Henry Wood, was played. In this was the college hornpipe. At the close of every line a wag started to stamp his feet, and before you could realise it the entire audience were doing it. Sir _ Henry was obviously taken by surprise, but he took it in good part, and when ‘Rule Britannia’ was played he turned round to the audience and signalled to them to join in. They did so with a right good will. You can imagine the audience of some 4000 or so, the orchestra, and grand organ all ’letting it go. _ I can now say without fear of contradiction that I have sung at the Queen’s Hall under the baton of Sir Henry Wood.’’