Plays- Players – Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 25

Plays- Players - Pictures

THE SHOWS. Town" Hall— .?.•»'!"■ Recital, every Sunday. 8.30 i).m. '■Creation." by Combined Methodist Choirs, :25th February. Concert Chamber— -Alexander Wntson, in season. Westminster Wee Singers,. 22ud February. Opera House—Pictures. His Majesty's—Pictures. Majestic—Pictures. Itegent—Pictures. J)e Luxe Theatre —Pictures. Paramount Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre.—Pictures. Artcraft Theatre.—Pictures.. Our Theatre—Pictures. Sliortt's Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre —Pictures, ljueen's Theatre—Pictures. I'rlncess Theatre —Pictures. Kilbiruio Kinema—Pictures. <

Mr. Ernest Lotinga, the English burlesque comedian, and a special company, is scheduled i'ur a tour of New Zealand, opening at, Auckland on^22nd February, and appearing at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, in March. Mr. Lotinga will present four of his most successful musical farces, "August, 1924," "The Police Force," "Khaki," and "Full House," .which proved very popular in London. Included in the company are several vaudeville artists of international fame. These include the Hardgrove Brothers, specialty dancers, who will appear .in several original turns, Karyl ■ Norman, a clever female impersonator, and other artists new to New Zealand.-

After a highly-successful tour of New Zealand Leo Carrillo ("Lombardi, Ltd.") will probably proceed to Hollywood, where he has contracted to appear in the leading roles in two "talkie" pictures. This will not be liis first business visit to the film colony, for he lias already appeared in tho talkie "Mr. Antonio," which will probably be seen in New Zealand next year. Subsequently Mr. Carrillo will journey to London, where,"Lombardi, Ltd." will bo produced under the J. C. Williamson management. The firm appears to be now firmly established as producers in both London, and New. York, and has already scored some outstanding successes, .in. which Australian and New Zealand artists have appeared in prominent roles.

Mr. B. H. Coltrnan has been appointed as the successor of Mr. S. J. Harbutt, who recently resigned from the position of honorary secretary of the Eoyal Auckland Choir. Mr. Coltman has been a member of the choir for tho past six years, and since 1925 he has acted as assistant secretary.

As far as may be gathered, the Society of Musicians has not definitely fixed the date of tho Music Week, beyond setting it down, for August. It would be advisable for tho society to appoint the exact date as soon as possible, and to circularise the musical so-' oieties of the Dominion, in order that they may prepare for it. Most of tho societies arrange their concerts at the beginning of the season, and book their halls accordingly. If the date of the Music Week could be fixed immediately, and the musical bodies informed, it would assist them greatly in making their plans for the coming season. Mr. Eeg. Newberry, tho New Zoaiand tenor, has gone from Italy to Vienna. In this centre he will study under Professor Ulanowsky,-director of the conservatory, who is well known as having trained some famous singers, and who is responsible also for the production of various operas in Vienna. Mr. Newberry'is hopeful of making his appearance before long either in opera or on the concert platform.

Wo have just passed over the- centenaries of Beethoven, Schubert; and Kubenstein, and the next great occasion of the kind is the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Haydn. This is to be celebrated by an international,exposition of music and drama at Vienna in 1932.

Dvorak's opera, "King and Charcoal Burner," supposedly lost, has been discovered in Prague.

Plans have been definitely drawn up for the erection of a new London concert hall. The site chosen is in Belgravia, near Hyde Park corner.

Japanese plays, played by Japanese artists, are shortly to bo seen in the United States. The Japanese Theatre Association has announced that Tokujiro Tsutsui, a celebrated actor, and his company will go to America shortly for appearances in New York and a transcontinental tour. The company is one of tho oldest and best in Japan. Every one of the 25 members has won individual honours on tho Japanese stage. It includes actors, actresses, swordsmen, dancers, and musicians, and they have a large repertory of not only classical and modern dramas, but also comedies and dances.

A somewhat mixed reception lias been accorded to a play by-Mr. Frank Harvey which was recently presented in London. Mr. Harvey is an actor who is well known in New Zealand, and lie is now appearing with considerable success in the dramatised version of "Jew Suss." His play, "The Last Enemy," is described as an "Outbound Bound" of the war. Two explorers die in the Arctic, but in Heaven they are told that they can act as spiritual fathers to young people on earth. Critics state that this supernatural element has been most sincerely conceived, but the treatment has not been sufficiently imaginative. One critio says that "The Last Enemy"' just misses being a great piny.

Lady Myrtle Jelliooo is to take part in amateur theatricals which are being given by Lord Glentanar at the Forest of Glen Tanar, near Aboyne, writes "The Posts London correspondent. The "Daily Express" remarks: "The occasion will be an eminently Scottish one, for, apart from Lord Glentanar and his wife, the performers will include Major 'lan Hay' Beith (author of one of the sketches to be presented) and Lady Janet Egidia Montgomerie, who is descended from Boger of Mundegumbri. Others in the cast aro Lady Mrytle Jollicoo and the Hon. Anthony Chaplin. One, at least, of the performances will take place m the ballroom —a large room, formerly the bowling alley, whose pitch-pine panelled walls are adorned by 600 antlei's and other trophies of the chase. A stage is at one end of the room, with a magnificent organ, which, together with tho three or four grand pianos in other parts of the house, provides evidence of Lord Glentanar 's musical taste. lilsewhcro hangs a magnificently preserved tapestry which was worked by Mary Queen of Scots and her ladies when they were imprisoned at Lochleven." Current shows in London include "Lo (Malade Imagiuaire," Molicrc's famous comedy; "He's Mine,"*, an adaptation from the French; and "Dear Love," a jiew all-British musical comedy. Moliero's comedy is being played at the Old Vie under tho title of "Thu Imaginary Invalid," with Brember Wills and Martita Hunt as Monsieur arid Madame Argon. Tallalah Bankhead is appearing in "He's Mine," which is 1 eing presented at the Lyric, Hammersmith. "Dear Love" is produced at the Palace. Tom Burke, the famous tenor, takes the part of a French artist who fails to sell his pictures. Annie Croft, who toured New Zealand in "The Girl Friend" and "Hit the Deck," is his leading lady, and Sydney Howard and Kate Cutler are also in tho cast.

Finishing in Dunedin to-night, the 'American Comedy Company embarked on a short tour in the South Island, playing Oamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton. It is very likely that this company will play a return visit to Dunedin before they leave the South Island.

Shakespeare fo music is ono of the

latest projects of Mr. C. B. Cochran, tho well-known London producer. Ho has chosen ono of Shakespeare's _ plays "which gives great opportunities to two comedians," and will shortly commission a popular composer to , write round it, and so turn it into an\ operictta.

John G. Patten, veteran actor, known in the early days of his career as Handsome Jack, died in Melbourne recently. Ho was Charles Holloway's leading man for .i considerable period, and also played with George Bignold, and appeared in important parts in Williamson productions. Ignaz Friedman, who toured New Zealand over . a year ago, has been busy upon an American tour which brought hini in November to the Pacific Coast. Towards the end of that month ho appeared in a recital in Los Angeles, and, according to one of the critics, "charmed and astonished" his audience by his power, versatility, iusight, and deep feeling. This "feeling, warm and tender, surpassed even- his super-technical facility," says this review, "and left an unforgettable impression." Schumann was represented in this recital by his "Pavilions," a series of delightful sketches. Then there were the Bach-Busoni Chaconno, the Mozart Rondo in. A minor, the B flat Polonaise of Chopin, with a group of this composer's studies, valses, and mazurkas; Debussy's "Soiree dans Grenade," the Liszt F minor Study, and other pieces—all, it is evident, distinguished by the stylo and grace which the pianist exhibited when ho was in Australia.

"Disraeli," starring George Arliss, is tho talking screen's first attempt at historical drama. George Arliss's portrayal of Disraeli runs the gamut of characterisation. Now he is sardonic, now apprehensive. A turn of tlio wheel of chance, and his carefully-laid plans miscarry. An unexpected move ou tho chessboard of politics, and Bussia may reach out and wrest tho coveted Suez Canal. Intrigue, counter-intrigue, romance,- strategy—George Arliss deftly brings out every shade of the character of the mysterious statesman Diaraeli. There is a brilliant supporting cast composed entirely • of. English players. • ' Modern Paris has been transplanted in Hollywood to supply the interesting background for "Slightly Scarlet,'? a talkie starring Evelyn Brent and Clive Brook. The story is .a Continental romance. The supporting cast includes Fred Kohler, Paul Lukas, Helen Ware, and Eugene Pallette. "The Girl Who Was Not Wanted" is a drama of the snow lands and lumber camps with Helen Chandler, 19----year-old player, who has just completed the "Sky Hawk," the Zeppelin picture, playing the leading feminine rolo. George O'Brien, fresh from' the first all-talking Zaue Grey story, "The Lone St r Ranger," will portray tho part of the chief male player in this picture. • A London newspaper correspondent writes as follows concerning "The Taming of the Shrew": "Hollywood has long coveted as a shop window, the London Pavilion, and it said much for tho Fairbanks-Piekfordian influence when Mr. C. B. Coehrane had the Pavilion wired for "The Taming of, tho Shrew.' Had Shakespeare been present, he would have enjoyed himself immensely. When he created Petruchio, I almost think he had Douglas Fairbanks in prospect for the role. For depth of understanding Miss Pickford's presentation-of .that pepperpot Katheriue l*as perhaps never been surpassed.?' , .

The all-talking, singing, and dancing picture, "Tho Gold Diggers of Broadway," is one of the most gorgeous siud amusing of entertainments ever seen on either screen or stage. The dialogue is pithy -and humorous, and the many tints'and colours are thrown upon the screen with fidelity to nature. In the chorus numbers the riot >of colours is beautiful. '' Gold Diggers of Broadway" will shortly be seen in Wellington.

Lawrence Gray, Bobert Montgomery, Kay'Johnson, and Nina Mac M'Kinney have all signed new contracts 'with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for an extended period. All of these players have been prominent in recent dialogue pictures. Gray appeared opposite Marion Davies in "Marianne," and Montgomery played . opposite Joan Crawford in "Untamed. '' Miss Johnson made a successful screen debut in "Dynamite," and Nina Mao M'Kinney is the young coloured actress who scored a success in "Hallelujah.'-'

'•'Honey" has been selected as the Tmal title for Nancy Carroll's' next starring picture. It is the all-talking, singing version of the stage comedy, "Come Out of the Kitchen." Stanley Smith plays the male lead. Richard "Skcets" Gallagher and Lillian Both, Harry Green, and Little Mitzi play, the chief supporting roles. In a huge set duplicating a crowded street in Shanghai, crammed with sailors of all nations, rattling with rickshaws, carts, and decrepit flivvers, and 'adorned with Chinese_ signs and architecture, John Ford, is directing ono of the biggest efforts of his career, an absorbing drama of the submarine service temporarily titled "The White Flame." The climax laid aboard a crippled suomarine at the bottom of the China Sea, is said to contain one of the most dramatic and unusual endings ever filmed. Among the unicpae features of the production ia the fact that there is not a single woman in the cast, which is headed by Kenneth Mac:Kenna, Frank Albeirtson, Paul Page, J. Farrell Mac Donald, Warren Hymer, Stuart Erwin, and Pat Somerset, have' the principal roles.

Talking pictures have claimed Budolph Friml, composer of. "Bose Marie," "The Vagabond King," "Three Musketeers," and otlier musical hits. He will compose the score for "Bride 60," Arthur Hammstein's first musical play. Mr. Friml's first connection with the screen was established through a contract' signed with United Artists. '

Helen Johnson, vaudeville and musical comedy star, will have the leading feminine role in "The Song Writer," an adaptation of the Broadway play. Others in the cast include Wynne Gibson, Lawrence Gray, May Boley, Kenneth Thomson, Julanno Johnston, aud Polly Ann Young.

Al Jolson appears in "Say it With Songs." In this picture Jolson sings several new songs, perhaps the most popular of which is "Why Can't You?" This song is based ou tho story of a inaii in Sing Sing Prison, who served life imprisonment. He introduced canaries and other song birds into the famous prison and transformed some ugly stretches into flower gardens during his long term.

No less than six original song numbers "will bo heard in "Montana,'^ a musical outdoor picture starring Joan Crawford. Johnny Mack Brown has the leading male role. The supporting cast includes Cliff (Ukulele Ike) Edwards, Benny .Bubin, Karl Dane, and Holmes Herbert.

"Song of the Flame," which is entirely in tcchnicolour, will employ 9000 players before tho final scene is completed. "Song of the Flame," adapted from the operetta, will be tho most elaborate production ever made by First (National. Bernice Claire, Alexander Gray, and Noah Beery have the loading roles.