FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 17

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

‘ Lilac Time ’ is likely to be revived in London, with Miss Evelyn Layo and Mr W, H, Berry in the leads. Alfred Frith, for so long popular in musical comedy here, who left the cast of the sensational thriller ‘Dracula’ in New York to appear in a featured role in the short-lived 1 The King Can Do No Wrong,’ has returned to the cast of ‘Dracula.’ The Gilbert and Sullivan Company, recently in New Zealand, has reopened in Melbourne at the Theatre Royal. Muriel Starr had a very successful run in Sydney with ‘ Corner cd. It has been succeeded by 1 The Eternal Magdalene.’ Of Mr Oliver M'Lcnuaii, the Australian, who is juvenile lead in the new Marilyn Miller show, ‘Rosalie,’ in New York, the ‘ New York Times says: “As the other American, Mr Oliver M'Lennan, an Australian tenor discovered by Mr Zicgfcld, makes an agreeable impression.” It will be remembered that in the previous Marilyn Miller show, ‘Sunny,’ a Now Zealander, Mr William Valentine, had a prominent role. in ‘The Letter,’ in the action of the story is laid in Singapore and Malaya. Miss Irene Vanbrugh plays the leading role of Leslie Crosby, and Mr Dion Boucicault appears as Oug Chi Seng, an educated Chinese law clerk A notable appearance is that of Mr Norman M‘Kinnel as the lawyer of Leslie Crosby. There is a strong support company. Announcement has been made ot the Now Zealand tour of another splendid musical and dancing comedy, 4 Tip Toes.* This lino attraction will bo followed by another equally good, ‘Queen High.’ The J. C. Williamson Company will open at Auckland almost at once, and will include several famous comedians and specialty dancers direct Irom London. lip Toes’ is produced by Mr Harry B. Burclier, ind the ba'lets an-ang a by Miss Minnie Hooper. ilierc will bo no big glittering ol musical stars in J.U3B tsays a byauey writer). The bottom fell out of the boom which started with the successes ol Kreisler and Gaili-Vurci; and the Tails, at least, arc not likely to arrange fixtures to clash with their grand opera venture. Last year j.'rtderewsui, Melba, lleifeiv., Friedman, Zimbalist, Frances Alda, and Hislop made a remarkable sequence. The stars trod upon one another’s heels until music levers’ finances were exhausted; then houses .slumped disastrously.

A play which is m its second year of a Broadway season is tree to the public. You merely go to the box ollico tell how many seats you want, secure the pasteboards and pass right in to the show. And it is not a bad play (says a correspondent of the ‘Film Weekly,”) even though it has had a lot of kidding at the hands of the critics and the intelligentsia, it is ‘TJw Ladder.’ Built upon the thumb of reincarnation, it is the hobby of a millionaire oil juau, who some time ago pledged that he would run the play until it had lost him a million dollars. In a way he was a kind of Brewster, only that money, instead of coming back ten-fold, has just oozed away and away, until the loss to-day stands at 750,000 dollars. The play has had four shifts of theatres. Owing to the success of ' Archie ’ at St. James Theatre, Sydney, it is announced by Sir Benjamin and Mr John nouced by Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller that the New Zealand tour will not commence in February as at first arranged, and possibly it will not be until Easter that this company will be seen hero. ‘ Archie ’ is one of London and New York’s most famous musical comedy successes as was ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ and * Lady Be Good,’ but at St. James’ Theatre, Sydney, 1 Archie ’ has already eclipsed the notable triumph of the two latter productions. In 1 Archie,’ Miss Elsie Prince, who plays the role of Billy Cobb, says that this part is entirely different from any other role which she has played, and the opportunities arc more than in any other production in which she has figured as the leading lady. Jimmy Godden, playing ■the title role of ‘ Archie ’ must bo said to have the same advantages and where opportunities do not offer the best, according to Mr Godden’s point of view, ho makes them. ‘ Archie ’ abounds in comedy and none can play it better than Jimmy Godden. The exact dates of the New Zealand tour will he announced later, but it is promised that even should ‘ Archie ’ continue to draw such phenomenal business in Sydney, and it is quite expected that it will, Easter will see the company on this side. Jean Athol, the stage name of a West Australian girl, is well to tho front in tho ‘Wrecker,’ the latest Arnold Ridley thriller, in London. This play is being presented in London by E. J. Carroll. Mario I.obr played Airs Darling m ‘Peter Pan’ at tbe Gaiety Theatre, London, this year. Her daughter, Jane Prinsep, also appeared in the play. Ada Reeve left London for America last month, and will probably do a vaudeville tour of that country.

[By LOITEHEILj

Jotßngs«r‘ti» people of flio Stage and'Sereen mid the latest rscMedllaslc.

Making a welcome return to Dunedin after an absence of nearly six years, Mr Eric V. Conway plays the important role of Spencer in Wm. Graemc-Holder’s extraordinary play, ‘ Suspense, 1 which opens its New Zealand season at his Majesty’s Theatre on the 37th of this month. A versatile performer, Mr Conway has played important roles under the leading English managements, besides playing several successful seasons in vaudeville, it was in the latter capacity that he last visited Dunedin, heading the bill in a remarkably clever act, in ‘-(Suspense ’ he plays opposite the author, and contributes very largely to the great success of this remarkable mystery play. A brother of Iris Hoey, the distinguished English musical-comedy star, as captain iu the R.A.F. he has an enviable war record. ‘ Suspense,’ which is acknowledged one of tlie best mystery plays on the stage to-day, depends for its numerous thrills not on gruesome tragedy, but on the author’s remarkable grasp of the ramifications of human leai and kindred emotions.

‘The Swordsman,’ an adaptation of Dumas’s novel, ‘ Ihc Iluco Musketeers, is now iu rehearsal for production in the provinces prior to going to London. Olga Polctti, who will appear with the Italian Grand Opera Company under tho Fuller direction, is said, in iiluropo and South America, to bo sluuing with Claudio Muzio, tho distinction of being one of the greatest interpreters of ‘ TTaviata.’ .Her voice is of the light lyric-coloratura type, and since her debut—eight years ago, as Gilda in ‘Rigolctto' ' —she has been acclaimed in all the leading theatres of Europe and South America as a great star. Besides her wonderful voice, Olga .Polctti is gifted with exceptional artistry, and her portrayals have been proclaimed by critics as perfect. Carlo Gatti, Italy’s best-known critic, spoke of tills soprano; A delightful personality. One of the greatest voices of this century.

Louis Beunison, who is claiming £l,lOO from J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for wrongful dismissal, is now on his way to America. His evidence was taken on commission before ho left. It was alleged that suggestions had been made against Beunison that ho was under the influence ol diiuk on the sixth night of the run of ‘The Road to Borne,’ on which occasion he kissed tho senator’s wife (Daphne Blair, tho understudy) far too enthusiastically and passionately. Furthermore, it was alleged that following Mr Bcnnison’s dismissal, ho was reinstated at a salary of £6O, whereas his contract salary was said to bo £.IOO a week.

The following is trom ‘London Stage’; “As a rule, John Kirby told mo tho other daj, Australian actois are without honor in their own country. They como to England or go to America "to make their name. He astonished mo by saying that in ilmost every theutro iu London thero is an Australian artist. When he was in ‘Lady Luck,’ thero were four: Cyril Ritchard, Madge Elliot, Joso Melville, and himself. Other notable instances are Clarice Hardwicke, at Drury Lane; Gladys Moncricff,’ Vera Pcarcc, Kitty Reidy, and Rita Nugent. Dorothy Brunton, who appeared recently in ‘Tho Climax,’ is another who may be cited as an exception to the rule, for, before she took up straight acting, she was tho most popular musical comedy actress in the Antipodes. Hie outstanding example of an Australian who lias made good away from home is Albert Whelan, who, when lie returned some time ago, was as big a success over there as ho is here. The grand opera season organised by Messrs Gonsalez, under the management of fair Benjamin and Air John Fuller, is to he opened m hvcu.ey at the St. James’ Theatre, on March with ‘H Trovatore.’ Three operas will be produced in the first week, the others being ‘ Traviata ’ and Un Ballo in Masclicra.’ Active preparations are now being made ior tins season. Ore of the couduocors, S.gnor Ernesto Gonsalez, was to arrive iu Sydney on February 10, and the other, Signor Giovanni Gnnsaicz, on February 23. Meanwhile, the singers required' for the chorus, and pissibly for minor roles, are being tested, in readiness for the there lias been a series of voice trials at the St. James’ Theatre, whore those aspirants who had survived the elimination tests previously conducted, wore subjected to a further examination in scale singing and other exercises, designed with the view of proving their aptitude m the study of operatic roles. these candidates were heard again by Mcssis Roland Foster, AH'rod Hill, I'olh, and W J. Douglas (general manager tor Fullers’), with Air Hamilton Webber as pianist. The voices, ha\mg passed the earlier tests, were above tho average in quality and range, and the proportion of trained singers was nnturatlv much better than at tho earlier audition. Tho final choice, hoaevei, will not be made until Signor Giuseppe Gonsalez, at present in Italy, has been further consulted by cable message. A death from misadventure is that ]\lrs Vane, wife of tho snake charmer, “Rocky” Vane. Deceased, who was known as “Cleopatra, and who visited Dunedin many years ago, was aiding her husband in his demonstrations at the White City, Perth, a few weeks ago. The latter handed a venomous tiger snake to his wife, who, whilst transferring the reptile to a box, was bitten on the thumb of the rirrht hand Ligatures and antidotes were applied, and Airs Vane w>s taken to the hospital. She refused to remain in the institution, and returned to White City. Fatal developments ensued. Both Mrs Vane and her husband, who had been appearing- together lot four years, had boon bitten on many occasions. At the St. James Theatre, Sydney, recently, Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller commenced a search for suitable Australian talent for the forthcoming Grand Opera season. There was’a deluge of applicants of “refined personality, good appearance, and with attractive voices.” ‘they brought along operatic selections ranging _ from the simplest arias to compositions with which Dal Monte might well be puzzled. Mr Alfred Hill, tho wellknown Australian composer, assisted in the selection of the singers.

It is largely because of Miss Marie Tempest’s own kindness—she attended the rehearsals and gave advice—that there was a special “understudy matinee” of ‘The Spot on the Sun’ 4n London. Miss Tempest, in this play, was understudied by her own daughter-in-law, Miss Lillian Cavanagh,' who married Major Loring, her son. The great comedienne is a very awkward woman to understudy. She never falls ill, and she is never absent from the cast. So, however competent her understudy may be, she never gets a chance. Miss Tempest, therefore went out of her, way to make this matinee possible. All the understudies appeared, and scores of critics wore present. Several of the young players wore hailed as artists of great promise.

SCREiNLAND JOTTINGS

A startling new type of dramatic art—a him quite different from anything that has previously been seen on the screen—is promised from Paramount, who announce that tho first screening of 1 Chang ’ iu Australasia took place at tho Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, on Saturday, January 28. Probably no otlicr film yet produced has excited so much interest on account of its difference from anything previously attempted, ‘Chang’ will bo seen this year in every Slate of Australia and New Zealand. The interstate release dates will be published as soon as they are available. ‘ When Fleet Meets Fleet,’ the film story of tho Battle of Jutland, taken from both tho British and German viewpoint, is duo, for early rcleaso in the dominion.

William Austin, who was highly successful iu Miss Clara Bow’s first starring vehicle for Paramount, ‘ It,’ will bo seen again in Miss Bow’s next picture, ‘Red Hair.’ In addition to the usual attractions, moviegoers can look forward to a feast of entertainment during Paramount’s greater movie season, which is scheduled for March. Such big productions as 1 Chang,’ ‘ Shanghai Bound,’ and ‘Now We’ro in tho Air’ will receive their New Zealand premiere during this season. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, the two comedians who were so successful in their first co-starring picture, ‘ Rookies,’ will be seen shortly in ‘ Baby Mine,’ a comedy adapted from the stage play of the same name.

Miss Norma Talmadge’e latest picture, ‘The Woman Disputed,’ has gone into production on the United Artists lot, with Henry King directing. Gilbert Roland, who played opposite Miss Talmadge in ‘ Camille ’ and ‘ The Dote,’ will once again play the male lead in this picture. Heilani Deas, an Hawaiian beauty, was selected for the role of the native dancer in ‘ Two Flaming Youths,’ Paramount’s now comedy film, co-starring W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin. Miss Deas was in 1925 declared to be the most beautiful girl in Hawaii. As such she took part in the Atlantic City pageant as “Miss Honolulu.” ‘ Adam and Evil,’ a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayc:- farce comedy, which will be screened shortly, introduces a new comedy team in Lew Cody and Miss Aileen Pringle. This now picture is described as a riot of laughs, thrills and marital complications. Low Cody plays his first dual role. One of the prominent vehicles in which John Gilbert, rode along the cinema highway to fame was ‘ Shame,’ a Fox photo-play of some years ago which lias just been reissued. It is a story of San Francisco, Alaska, and the sons. Gilbert plays the part of a wealthy youth who is tortured by tho belief he is half-caste.

Adolphe Mcnjon’s next Paramount picture will be ‘The Beauty Doctor.’ The story was written by Frnest Vajda, and Lothcr Alendes is directing. Mcndes came under the notice of Paramount after a series of successes on the Continent.

SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL THEATRE WORLD-WIDE RESPONSE TO APPEAL The world-wide attraction which is still exerted by tbo name of Shakespeare has been shown by the response to the appeal for funds for the rebuilding of tho Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon. The theatre was burned to the ground on March 6, 1926. Before the month 1 ~s out the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ opened a fund for the building and endowment of a new theatre which should fcj a worthy monument of Shakespeare and an academy of tho art of tho stage. An appeal, signed by Mr Baldwin, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Lord Oxford, and Mr Thomas Hardy, was made for a national effort, American donations were invited, despite the remonstrances of Mr Bernard Shaw and Mr Gordon Craig, ami, though further gifts are still required to give the memorial scheme its fullest usefulness, the rebuilding of the theatre in adequate v.ignity, with the provision of some endowment, is now assured.

Almost as soon as the appeal was launched donations began to come in from countries as far away a.s Egypt, Afghanistan. Spain, and Japan. No ordinary difficulties, however, had to bo surmounted. A month a L ?r the appeal was made the general strike and protracted coal strike began, making the worst of all times for collection. Americans have been among the most generous givers to the scheme, although Air Bernard Shaw described England’s “ begging the Shakespeare Theatre from (lie United States” as something that “ surpasses anything that Irish mendicity ever achieved. . . . Any other country would have died of shame. England exults in L..ving imposed upon Uncle Sam with her tale of deserving poverty. Stratford-on-Avon henceforth will be an extraterritorial enclave of tho district of Columbia. Thank heaven, Ireland’s National Theatre, though but a little thing, is her own I” An American paper has replied to this that Americans who give money to the project are_ not making a great bargain, but paying, quite happily, a part, of an old debt. Moreover, it is not the money that makes a, Shakespeare theatre. “ America cannot give a national theatre to England, no matter what it pays.”