FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 17

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[By LOITERER.]

Mr Gayle Wyor, of the Bandbox Rcyue Co. now at the Princes Theatre, is not only a gifted light comedian, but a dramatist and composer, and the revues presented by him aro from his own pen. Mr Wyer is a conspicuous figure on the American stage, and his season in Dunedin is proving a most popular one to every section of the community. The charming young ladies, who comprise the ballet in the revue are six of the many reasons for the packed audiences that attend every performance; daintily frdcjtcd, with tine appearances and good voices, thev are an added atti action to a

popular show. ‘The Sign of the’ Cross,’ Julius Knight’s old success, has been revived in England. Fullers’ Opera House at Christchurch is to bo renovated at a cost of £25,000. Josio Melville, Australia’s well-loved “ Sally,” has only a couple ol lines in ‘Lady Luck,’ ill London. The Humphrey Bishop Company will go to Tasmania in October, and will spend the summer at Adelaide. The Nellie Brnmley Company is at the Grand .Opera House, Sydney, in ‘Second-band Brides.’

Alex. Kclleway has replaced Claude Holland in ‘ Lndv, Bo Good,’ in Sydney .

The corrected dates for llio New Zealand tour of ‘The Ghost Train’ are as under:—Wellington, September 14 to 2-1; Christchurch. September 27 to October 6; Timaru, October 7; Oamani, October 8; Dunedin, October 10 to 15; Mastcrton, October IS; Hastings. October 19; Napier. October 20 and 21; Palmerston North, October 22; Wanganui, October 24; New Plymouth, October 2d; Hawcra, October 26; Hamilton, October 27; Auckland, October 28 to November 5. Louis Bcunison, since last be visited New Zealand and Australia, lias been browsing round California, bis native heath. "He has been playing in 1 The Barker,’ the circus play written by a professor of Columbia University. It was such a commercial success that three companies -were sent “on the road” witli it. A Sydney writer has neatly suggested that if an American univorsitv professor can write a successful show melodrama, what about Stiffy and Mo trying tbeir bn mis at a repertory play? Collins Street Baptist Church, Melbourne, was crowded, and if twice the size, would have been filled by the crowd that wanted to see the wedding of Miss Wyn Richmond, principal girl of ‘Sunny’ with Mr J, Henderson, on Saturday, August 27. Sir Benjamin Fuller gave tho bride away, and all the members of the ‘ Sunny ’ company were present, besides many others prominent in theatrical circles. Six bridesmaids in early Victorian costumes lent added picturesqueness to a bright and happy scenes. When Mrs Henderson came out with her husband the crowd cheered continuously. After the ceremony “Sunny” and her husband, and other's, went to Essondon aerodrome, and made a short aeroplane flight. The Premier, Sir Hogan and Mrs Hogan, and several Parliiv jneutarians, were among those at the wedding breakfast. ‘ Sunny ’is having a record run at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, under tho direction of Sir Benjamin and John Fuller, and it is to tour Now Zealand at the conclusion of tlii.s season. Mr Charles Laughton, who became famous overnight in ‘ The Happy Husband,’ London, has only been on the stage since April of last year. In the previous month lie won the gold medal at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Although bo plays the part of a middle-aged American at the Criterion, be is a young Englishman in the early twenties, and lie has never been to America. The play will he included in the repertoire of Miss Irene Vaiibiirgb and Mr Dixon Boucicault for their forthcoming tour of Australia and Now Zealand. A wealth of theatrical attractions for New Zealand is promised by J. C. Williamson. Towards the end of the year, four productions that have been mccesses not only in Australia will bo playing in the dominion. ‘ Rose Marie ’ may now bo here a little earlier than ivas expected, opening in Auckland tally enough to bo the Christmas attraction in Wellington. The Gilbert md Sullivan Opera Company, playing ‘ Ruddigore ’ and ‘Patience,’ will probable occupy His Majesty’s Theatre during the Christmas season, while ‘ The Cradle Snatchers ’ and ‘ The Ringers ’ may bo playing in the South Island. ‘ Sunny,’ the new musical comedy to be staged in New Zealand at an * early date, under the direction of Sir Benjamin and John Fuller, traverses a wide field from Southampton to the Southern States of America, and about fifteen changes of scenes are presented, which are lavishly mounted. One particular scene, showing the grand saloon on the s.s. Triumphant, is carried out in solid walnut, and the costumes of all the members of. the cast are beautiful and elaborate. Among other attractive scenes in this gorgeous production are;—A conservatory through the windows of which one can seo a mass of golden bloom ami the sapphire blue of lake water, and a poppy field in Florida, an expensive perspective of rural _ country, with a mass of rich poppies in the foreground. Jerome Kern who composed the score, has designed some bright, jaunty music for ‘Sunny,’ the book and

lyrics of which are by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammersteim Chief of the many lilting tunes in this bright show are ‘ Who,’ ‘ Two Little Blue Birds,’ and ‘Sunny.’ Jazz lovers will ho thrilled by the performance of the Blackhottora, and dress lovers will gaze with rapturous eyes upon the collection of gorgeous frocks especially imported for the production. ‘Sunny’ is at present playing the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, to record houses. The days of Bland Holt melodrama

arc recalled by the announcement of the death in Melbourne of Barrie Ire4and. For years Miss Ireland was one Df tho leading members of Mr Holt’s company, usually taking the adventuress parts, and taking them with much skill. Her father, G. 11. Ireland, was one of tho ablest actors in the

Melbourne theatre of the time of Coppin and tho early Williamson. Tho Bland Holt Company of the dead actress’s day were Walter Baker, Frances Ross, Albert Norman, Arthur Styan, and many others who arc favorably recalled, with Mr and Mrs Holt providing humor. All the productions were of high standard, and particular attention was given to the spectacular side.

Before the English mail left an investigator found that, of thirty-seven plays running in London, eleven were musical entertainments, five wore sensational “ thrillers,” and eleven were farce, light comedy, or burlesque. Of the ten plays the chief were Sean O’CaSey’s ‘The Shadow of a Gunman,’ dealing with troublous times in Dublin; Miles Malleson’s ‘ The Fanatics,’ treating of conflict between youth and age; ‘The Constant Nymph,’ adapted from a novel; and a translation of Maeterlinck’s war-time play .‘The Burgomaster of Stilemonde/ Societies and producing theatres had presented a few plays for one night or for brief runs, but there was little ' that was worth serious consideration.

Jottings on the people of tlie Stage aufl Screen and on the latest recorded Music.

It is hoped that when the new J. C. Williamson production ‘ Tip Toes ’ comes to the dominion, two members of the cast will be Ole Olsen and Chick Johnson, who have been featured in the Australian production. They have been grout favorites in vaudeville, and were only induced to abandon the varieties temporarily to perform some of their specialities in ‘Tip Toes.’ Sara Alteoucl, one of the most celebrated of the Irish players, is foresaking Sean O’Casey’s plays for a place in a new London musical comedy, ‘ Kitty’s Kisses.’ She was in Now Zealand years ago in ‘ i’cg O’ My Heart.’

Present indications are that some important alterations will bo made in the dates originally set down for some of the J. C. Williamson attractions for New Zealand. Under the new proposals, which, however, lire not definitely decided on, the Gilbert and Sullivan" Opera Company (which is to produce ‘ Ruddigoro,’ 1 Patience,’ and will also reappear in some of the other favorites), will arrive in New Zealand earlier than was anticipated. The opening date will probably bo October 18. and Wellington will be first district visited. ‘ Hose Mario ’ may also come over a little earlier, opening in Auckland, and providing the Christmas attraction for the capital city, while tho Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will provide tho Christmas attraction for the northern centre. ‘ The Cradle Snatchers,’ which _ lias proved such a success in Australia, will provide one of the Christmas attractions in the southern centres, and _ ‘The Ringer,’ the. exciting dramatisation of Edgar Wallace’s successful book, will also bo staged in tho South Island towards the end of the year. Anotller Australian, Frank Allcnby, has come well into tho London theatrical limelight. He was seen here with Mario Tempest, and afterwards accompanied her to America and England. Unfortunately, her first London play was a failure, and tho company was disbanded- Of late Mr Allenby has been playing a minor part with Gladys Cooper and Leslie Faber, in the new Somerset Maugham play, ‘The Letter.’ One night Leslie Faber fell out through illness, and Mr Allenby, his understudy, was given ten minutes in which to remove his makeup as a Chinese, get into a lounge suit and carry on as leading man. At tho final curtain tho audience cheered the understudy. Du Maurier now says ho intends to keep an eye on this Australian, whoso parents live in Melbourne.

Seldom is it that such a cleverly-con-structed comody-dnuua as is 1 The Ghost Train ’ (which had its New Zealand premiere at Wellington on Wednesday, September 14) is seen in these days of light and airy pieces, forgotten a.s soon as they aro heard. This production of Arnold Ridley’s fertile brain is a play of note, and that it has been described as “ the best comedy-drama of the century” shows what the critics think of it. It is potted drama ami comedy in one, and so cleverly has the combination been made that the tensity of the thrilling situations is relieved and the audience convulsed with laughter just at the when the relief is must welcome. The play is a model in dramatic construction, and there is some of the best comedy oyer seeu —the work of a master baud. Tho company is one of tho strongest ever brought to these shores, and that the New Zealand tour of this comedy-drama will be a success seems assured.

SGREENLANO JOTTINGS Gustav Von Scyifcriitz has been cast for tho “heavv” rolo of the neighbor in ‘Barbed Wire,’ Pula Negri’s next starring vehicle for Paramount. Announcement to this cllcet was made recently by B. R. Schulberg, associate producer in charge of tho Paramount West Coast production activities. Harry Carey lias been added to the cast of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s screen version of ‘ Rose Mario.’ Carey plays the part of a sergeant of the Northwestern Mounted Police. Miss Renee Adorco has the leading feminine role. Miss Betty Balfour is to play _tho leading feminine role opposite Syd. Chaplin in the coming film, 1 A Little Bit of Fluff.’ Tho film is being produced in England, and will bo released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Tho stage play was presented in New Zealand recently by the Nellie Bramley Company. Richard Arlcn, young leading man, broke into pictures by bis .bdity to swim under water. Ho had his great opportunity in films by going to tho other extreme, when Paramount made him leading man in ‘ Wings,’ in which ho is an aviator, flying thousands' of feet above the earth. The inimitable Lou Chancy will play the rolo of a Scotland Yard detective in ‘The Hypnotist,’ his latest picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. _ Associated with him as director is Tod Browning, who assisted Chaney in the making of ‘The Unholy Three,’ ‘The Blackbird,’ and ‘ Tho Unknown.’ Included in the cast aro Miss Marcclino Day, Miss Pollv Moran, Conrad Nagel, and Henry B. \Valthall. Chester Conklin and his unique walrus moustache have drawn another big part at the Paramount studios. B. P. Schulberg, associate producer in charge, announced that the versatile Chester lias been cast to play in _ tho Edward Sutherland production, ‘ Fireman, Save My Child,’ starring Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, one ol the Paramount group to he released early next year. Filming on Mary Pickford’s new United Artists feature, ‘My Best Girl,’ lias nearly reached the halfway mark. Sequences in tho five-and-ten-store set have been completed, and Director Sam Taylor is superintending a group of night_ scones on the ‘ Downtown ’ sot, covering two lull city blocks. Two regulation street cars, operating on a double track 268 ft long, are featured in tho scenes, and more than 200 vehicles of all types, from milk wagons and taxis to heavy gravel trucks, along with nearly a thousand extras, appear as atmosphere. A screen version of Warwick Deeping’s novel, ‘Sorrell and Son,’ is being made in England by Herbert Bronon. Ho is confident of its success. Like ‘ Beau Geste,’ it is a healthy story which docs not rely on tho “ sox appeal ” so beloved of the Americans. It is understood tho Paramount firm held doubts as to the film value of the story, and Brenon is not associated with his old firm in its production. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will shortly release two pictures which should prove great successes. These are ‘ Ben Hur ’ and ‘Mous.’ ‘Ben Hur’ has been playing at the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, since July I, and is considered to bo one of the greatest pictures ever produced. ‘ Mons ’ is a story of the Great War, and faithfully depicts the exploits of French’s “Contemptible Army.” It was produced in England with full co-operation of His Majesty’s Army Council, and is said to be a simple record of one of tho great episodes of tho war.