Mimes and Music

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 25

Mimes and Music

BY"ORPHEUS"

THE SHOWS. Opera House— Backhaus, pianist, 7th September. Towd HallWellington Competitions Society. Bl» Majesty's—Fuller1! Vaudeville De Luxe Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. Artcraft—Pictures. Our Theatre— Pictures. Empress Theatre— Plcturei. ' ' Bhortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre—Pictures Mr. and Mrs. Leon Cohen, formerly of Wellington, and latterly of Sydney, are enjoying a feast of music in Europe. They have been to opera in Vienna, Paris, Munich, and London. Mr. Cohen is an oboe player, and was with Williamson orchestras in opera. He is returning to Wellington. At least three generations of the Puller family have iigured on the theatrical firmament at one time, and $he list now includes a daughter of Lydia Fuller and also one of Hetty Fuller (Mrs. John Hamer). Both girls, who are members of the Hugh J. Ward revue company, aro said to be very .talented. . Feodor Chaliapin, the famous Eussian basso, who is now in ■ Australia on an Australian and New Zealand tour, was the central figure in a great demonstration at the current opera season at Covent Garden, when he appeared there for the first time in one of his chief characters, the title-role in Boito's "Mefistofele." Many enthusiasts waited in a queue all night for seats — indeed, the King and Queen, leaving ,the theatre after the previous evening's performance of "La Boheme," were cheered by a little group of people then waiting for Chaliapin. Some of those in the queue, it is claimed, had waited for 37 .hours when the curtain rose on " Mefistofele,',' in which Chaliapin sang, with all his accustomed fire and sonority. The cast was also notable for. the Marguerite of Madame Bianca Scacciati and the Faust of Signer Francesco MeriL We learn of Maude Fane's choice of frocks in Paris before we learn of the : play in which she is to appear, states a Melbourne writer. Relative importaocef ■■ Vaudeville patrons will read with delight of the return to' Wellington of the Veterans of Variety. We all remember the enthusiasm created by these old •tsrs on their appearance here some time -.ago, when we were taken back a generation or so by the famous old sayings, the old songs in the old way that made the veterans great in the years gon by. We all recall Arthur Slater and his spirited whistling songs, George Campbell in '.'The Man that Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," Lily Burnand, the vivacious star of the old music hall days, Florence Hinton in "Good-bye Mignonette," and Jake Freidman, -the irresistible little comedian. These wonderful young-old timers will commence the Wellington season at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, Bth September. .On hi« next tour of Australia and New Zealand Maurice Moscoviteh will appear in "The Music Master," "They Know What They Wanted," "The Fake," and "Trilby."' Miss Ellen Pollock will be the leading lady. Mr. Moscovitch is now on his way from England, and will open in Melbourne this month. Neither M. Novikoff nor Mile. Stuart returned to Europe with the Pavlova company; The latter is in Sydney, and intends to sail for America shortly, where she is to. be married. She will join Pavlova in Berlin afterwards. The plans of M. Nbvikoff are indefinite. Mr. Theo. Trezise will in Whangarei produce "Our Miss Gibbs" for the Waiata Society. Afterwards he returns to Auckland to rehearse "The Arcadians" for the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society. Mr. Trezise then has engagements in the South Island to produne "Merrie England." The advent of the Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, which opens in Wellington early in October. is being eagerly awaited.. For the past twelve months the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management has been scouring England for artists, with the result . that the preesnt organisation is said to be one of the most powerful combinations of comic opera stars that has yet appeared in the works of the beloved collaborators. Amongst thoso who wilJ "make their first appearance hero will bi> Miss Winifred Williamson, who is said to be among the finest L'xponents of the Duchess of Plaza-Toro in "The Gondoliers" ana of Katisha in "The Mikado" that London and Australia have ever known. Messrs. Sydney Granville (baritone and comedian) and Leo Darnton (a brilliant singer) come with big reputations won in the Gilbert and Sul--livan operas in England. Mr. Charles A. Walenn is already well and popularly known, to New Zealand playgoers, as he was the leading comedian of the last Gilbert and Sullivan opera company that appeared here. Miss Strella Wilson is one of the finest sopranos that Australia has yet produced. Others in the cast will include Miss Patti Russell (soprano), Miss Mabel Gibson (con tralto), and Mr. Lance Fairfax (baritone). Mr. James Hay, the tenor, was one of the outstanding figures in the previous Gilbert and Sullivan company that appeared here. The operas were produced by Miss Minnie Everett and and a full operatic orchestra and chorus is under the baton of Gustavo Slapoffski. '"I went to see Leon O'Casey's Irish play, 'The Plough and the Stars,' at the New ■ Theatre, near Leicester Square," writes a Wellingtonian, now visiting Europe. "I don't suppose it ■will como your way," he adds; it is too refined. The time is the Dublin rebellion, 1916. The story—why, there is none —but I think I discussed a moral, and this was the danger of the Irish people giving away to emotionalism, and being led away by powerful speakers. I may bo incorrect in this. But the acting! I cannot trust myself to speak about it, because you'll think I, tod, was the victim of emotionalism, permitting nyself to bo carried away. Except for the old Brough-Boucicault days, and the-.visits of Cyril Maud and Marie Tempest, I have not sat in my seat so enthralled. I believe the company are the Abbey players from Dublin. They are perfect :irfists, c»ory one, and delightful comedians, as refreshing in their art and as stimulating as a very precious glass of sparkling wine:—not the ginger beer comedy stuff that has been long opened. Sara Allgbod, whose husband in Wellington ("Peg o' My Heart" Company) is in a part—not a star part, because all are star artists. I know lam rhapsoding, but I was so much impressed by this Irish play." The deadlock which recently occurred between the Stratford Operatic Society r.nd J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in connection with the production rights for"The Belle of New York," has been satisfactorily settled. A deputation consisting of several members from the society waited upon Mr. Bert Eoyle, New Zealand representative for Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and were later aiotified that the society had permission to produce the opera. "Is Zat So," a comedy which has been delighting audiences for some time at the Apollo Theatre in London, is to be staged at Sydney on 11th September (writes "The Post's" London J

correspondent). The American actors engaged for the piece are Mr. Richard Taber, who is part-author of the play, Mr. Hale Norcross, Mr. Sam Green, Miss May Hanley, aiid Miss Virginia North, all of whom' were members of the company which originally played the piece in New York. Miss Sybil Jane, who will play the leading lady's part, and Mr. Barrie Livesey, who will play the juvenile lead, have been engaged in London. Both have recently been playing with the Shaw Repertory Company in South Africa and in England. Dr. Haigh, examiner for the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music, stated that the standard of performance of examination candidates in Australia and New Zealand was rapidly improving. Tho theoretical work, however, was still weak. Dr. Haig mentioned thj^t, although the standard required by the Associated Board was a very high one, it would be of special value to teachers and students to know that the board had but one standard, which operated equally throughout England and the Dominions. This year no fewer than three exhibitions are to be awarded in New Zealand. These will entitle the selected students to free musical education for not less than two years at either the Eoyal Academy of i Music or at the Royal College of Music.! The Associated Board, Dr. Haig said, was thus doing a splendid work for the | gifted students of the Dominion. Of Florence Austral, the Australian soprano, who is considered Melba's successor, an American critic says:— "There is more voice in the throat of Florence Austral than you will find in almost any two sopranos you can name. Hers is the kind of voice Weber and Wagner must have dreamed of when they were writing their music. Ido not believe there are more than half a dozen women in the world who can really sing 'Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster,' and Miss Austral is the first of the six." (Edward Moore, Chicago "Tribune.") They are evidently ambitious in Taranaki, for the pupils of the New Plymouth Technical College recently gave a performance of Balfe's opera, "The Bohemian Girl." A New Plymouth paper says:—"lt was really a stupendous undertaking for such youthful persons, yet they acquitted themselves well, although the advisability of presenting an opera, at least one requiring such ability and careful guidance as VThe Bohemian Girl," is to be doubted. The production of the comic opera "Veronique," by the Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society, was an undoubted success. The principal parts were taken by Miss Mollie Collier, Mesdames H. J. Francis, N. H. Prior, Messrs. Harry Hall, Rex Shaw, Seymour Gilding, and Tom Driver. Two popular singers, Royna Carbette and Signor Palmetto, will make their first appearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night. Rebe Kesslova, a violinist with a seemingly endless repertoire, which ranges from classical to jazz numbers, makes her first appearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night. The Phil Smith Revue Company will be back in Wellington shortly. Messrs. J. and N. Tait are negotiating for another grand opera company for Australia and New Zealand next year, but nothing definite has yet been arranged, writes "The Post's" London correspondent. Heifetz, the violinist, at present on a tour of China, Japan, and Java, will commence a season in Australia in May of next year. He will reach New Zealand -somewhere about the following July. He is not bringing a pianist with him. Mr. Joseph Hislop, the famous Scottish tenor, will also bo in the Dominion next year. Lately he has j been singing in opera at Paris, in grand opera at Stockholm, and in opera at Brussels. Probably a pianist will come out with him. "In London I have been getting all the music I can—orchestral, chamber, church, and vocal—writes a Wellington man who is now visiting London. "I heard some beautiful ecclesiastical music at tho Westminster Catholic Cathedral, and hope to hear the same ! at the Eroir.-ton Oratory. "'-3 r" Music, Catholic and Anglican, is very fine here, and part of ono's c,.a... The. public pay one shilling for Dip programme issued by the Wellington Competitions Society, and for thengood money should receive a little more consideration than they do. The writer, attended a' sacred solo section recently, and on glancl;ig at songs selected by the entrants noticed several "Aye Marias." This prayer has attracted the attention of many of the composers, and the baro title is not enough. The society is endeavouring to bring to light musical talent and cultivate the best of musical taste, and it behoves them at the same time to be ■ accurate. This loose method of labelling songs or arias is proving vexing to .many, and it is to be hoped that amends will be made next year. Why should not Schubert, Gounod, Verdi, Kahn, or Luzzi bo given a little credit for their compositions? The same applies to the instrumental numbers. It is not enough to call Lizst's "Paraphase ■de Concert"' of the quartette from Verdi's "Rigoletto," "Rigoletto" (Lizst), or "Waltz" in G flat major Opus 70, No. 1, by Chopin, waltz (Chopin).