FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 17

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[Ry LOITERER.]

JofKtagP-tarflw people el fte Stage and Screen Bndea the latest recorded Music.

It is safe to say there is no other comedian who has obtained such a hold on the affections of theatre goers as George Wallace. His popularity is well deserved, for he is the most original copiedian we have seen here. Monday evening he will present still another new musical comedy, *At The Crossroads.’ It is smartly costumed, admirably staged, and possesses many pleasing novelty numbers. _ The humorous parts specially suit friend Gorge’s very individual and subdued humor methods. A couple of sonj* burlesques, of course, aro in his keeping, and are undoubtedly the hits of the show, as far as musical fun-making is .concerned. In Sydney ‘At The Crossroads’ was repeated for several weeks in compliance with special requests from the public. „ _ The Fuller Grand Opera Company will open at the St. James’s Theatre >n March 10. The opening opera will je ‘II Trovatore,’ with ‘La Traviata’ md ‘Rigoletto’ as the first week’s pro--'rammer The personnel of tho company is as followsi —Sopranos; Rosita Silvestri, Olga Poletti, Margherita Flor, A. Mazza. Mezzo sopranos: Nina Algozino, M. Primmer. Tenors: Allesandro Rota, Brandisio Vanned, Signor Garuti, _A. Gilardi, G. Gilson, A. Tambourini. Baritones: Franco Izal, Francesco Frederick Basses: Signor Fumagelli, C. Zambelli, A. Alfieri. Principal solo dancer; L. Borroni, together with a chorus and ballet ,of forty, grand opera orchestra of forty. Conductors: G. and E. Gonsalez. Leon Gordon’s (of ‘White Cargo’ fame) engagement to Miss Nancy Aitken, of Adelaide, is now officially an nounced. Tho young lady, who is under twenty, came to Sydney with her mother to meet him on his return from America, and the engagement, though not announced at once, was confirmed. They had known each other on his last visit to Australia. Mr Gordon brought from America for his fiancee a beautiful double string of pearls, a diamond wristlet watch, and a most exquisite diamond engagement ring. _ He also brought a motor car for himself. It is likely that the wedding will take place within the next two months, tho actor getting an understudy to carry on for him while ho takes a week off to go to Adelaide for the ceremony. H© °snys it is his intention to stay here for two years, and then settle in England, with occasional visits to Australia.

Miss Daisy Hall, the Dunedin girl who spent over two years in Italy under some of the best masters, and who has been spending a restful holiday in her native city, intends, after her forthcoming song recital, to pay a visit to Australia and then return to Milan in order to fulfil an engagement at the world renowned La Scala Opera House. Miss Hall is already known there as “The little Prima Donna,” and her career at the very centre of grand opera will be watched with keen interest by her numerous friends in New Zealand. After a highly successful - season at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, extending from January 27 to February 18, ‘ Rose Marie ’ transferred her affections to Christchurch, where the season opened last Monday. There were scenes of enthusiasm on the concluding night, when not only tho principals, but the chorus and ballet girls were cheered to the echo, handsome floral tributes were handed up to the stage and streamers sent from boxes, stalls, and dress circle. The sailing of the Lyttelton ferry boat was delayed until midnight so as to accommodate the ‘Rose Marie’ Company, and quite a crowd assembled on the wharf to hid farewell to tho members of one of the most popular musical comedy companies that J. 0. Williamson has ever sent to tho dominion. The Christchurch season, ' which promises to prove another theatrical triumph, will extend to March S), after which Dunedin will he played from March 10 to March 21. Invercargill will be visited on March 22 and 23, a return visit will he paid to Dunedin on March 21, Oamaru will he played on March 26, and the New Zealand season will end with performances at Timaru on March 27 and 28. New Zealand theatre goers are indeed fortunate in being afforded the opportunity of witnessing Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller’s production of ‘Archie _ This entrancing musical comedy, which captivated Sydney audiencies for a season of fourteen weeks, has proved one of the most notable successes seen in London for many years. In Sydney it duplicated its English triumphs, even surpassing the success achieved by ‘Lady, Be Good ’ and ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ both of which were staged hero by the same management last year. Commenting upon this production in Sydney, the ‘Daily Telegraph’ said: “‘Archie,’ the new musical comedy which had its first night at St. James’s Theatre on Saturday night, should have a long and successful run. It is probably the best show of its kind yet put on by tho Fuller management at the St. James. Packed full of fun and humor, sparkling music, and clever stage effects, it made an immediate appeal, and the audience was loth to let some of the artists go, even after two and three recalls. The production was excellent. One particular stage effect, obtained with the chorus by massing brilliantly colored parasols so that they looked like some gorgeous hothouse plant laden with blooms, brought an outburst of applause.” ‘ Archie ’ will he interpreted by all the favorites who were seen here last year in ‘ Lady, Be Good ’ and ‘ No, No, Nanette.’ Elsie Prince has never appeared to better advantage than in ‘Archie’; she has an ideal role. Together with Jimmy Godden, the comedian who established himself as a favorite here, she is seen in a series of character sketches which must he seen to ho appreciated. The cast is as follows Geo. Willoughby, Nellie Dean, Leu Rich, Nellie Dennis, Elsie Parkes, Houston M'Donnell, Harry Burgess, Gladys Devereaux, Muriel , Edgar, Marjorie L’Strange, Jlita M'Evoy, Jack Smith.

Being Belgian-born, Stephanie Deste, the talented artist who plays the part of Wanda in ‘ Rose Marie ’ and leads the sensational totem polo danee, finds it easier to speak French or Dutch; but that she has made wonderful progress with the English language is proved by the fact that she has played prominent parts in Shakespeare—and that in England, too. Her diction is practically faultless, and it is a real pleasure to converse with her. Dancer and Shakespearean artist-actress—a remarkable combination (says an exchange).

It is said that Dorothy Brunton, the Australian girl, may go to New York under the Shubert management. Miss Brunton was for years very popular in musical comedy in Australia, and then broke into drama, going to South Africa and London with Guy Bates Post. Unfortunately tho London season was a failure.

Jim Gerald, who has for the past ten years been consistently playing the Fuller circuit, will leave for a vacation abroad on the conclusion of his present Sydney season. With his departure the company will be disbanded. Mr Gerald has an enviable reputation in the production of revues, and his companies, together with Edgeley and Dawe's ‘Midnight Frolics,’ were always and everywhere popular. It is understood that the Fullers do not intend letting Mr Gerald out of Australia for lono;. Tho folloAving from the London ‘ Era 1 refers to players who were at on© time popular in Australia and New Zealand:—Good work was contributed in ‘Uriel Acosta,’ a Jewish League production, by Mr Frank Harvey, elcgantly sinister as Ben Jochai. In ‘ The Desert Song ’ at Glasgow Howett Worstci is excellent as Pierre Birabeau, alike in singing and acting. Dorothy Seacombo is appearing successfully as tho Beggar Boy in the pantomime ‘ Queen of Hearts ’ at the Lyceum. Williamson’s experienced had luck with two star actresses last year—Margaret Laurence and Judith Anderson. Unsuccessful opening pieces seem to explain both failures. It took £4OO a week to induce Miss Anderson to visit her native country, and her ‘ Cobra ’ was not a success; neither were ‘ Tea for Three ’ and 1 Tho Green Hat.’ Margaret Laurence—a remarkably clever lady from all accounts—had wished on her ‘The Road to Rome,’ which went off into mere smart talkiness after the first act. Miss Laurence later appeared in ‘ Rain,’ a play that was very disastrous a few years ago for tho English actress, Barbara HolFe. J. C. Williamsons are likely to produce a Spanish melodrama, ‘ Tho Squall.’ A Sydney journalist states that ‘ White Cargo ’ was mild in comparison. The story of ‘ The Squall ’ tells how tho peace of mind of three women—a mother, her future daughter-in-law, and a servant —is temporarily banished by the infatuation of their respective husbands, present or to be, for tho soulless gipsy girl who has gained a footing in the household. Mr Maurice Ralph, general manager for E. J. Gravestock, Ltd., has received cabled advice from Mr Gravestock, who is at present in New York, that the New Zealand tour of Amy Evans, the famous Welsh soprano, and Fraser Gauge, the Scottish baritone, who so delighted dominion audiences seven years ago. will open in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday, April 14. A comprehensive tour of the North and South Islands will follow. These popular British singers left a host of friends and admirers behind them on their last visit, and since then have been singing with tremendous success in all parts of tho world. Just now they are delighting New Y'ork. Miss Amy Evans sang for five seasons at Covent Garden, London, and also sang in the Metropolitan Grand Opera House, Chicago. Her voice is high soprano, with that ingratiating warmth which seems tn he characteristic of Welsh artists. Mr Fraser Gauge’s voice is a powerful baritone of great range and lovely quality. His concert repertoire is probably the largest of any singer before the public. These two singers are bringing with them a brilliant solo pianist. They should receive a warm welcome in the dominion on their return in April. Somebody has put the query; Who is the oldest active member of the theatrical profession in Australia today? It’s a dangerous thing to specialise in veterans, hut I am inclined to think (says a Sydney ‘ Run ’ writer) that George Dean, father of Nellie, now appearing in ‘ Mercenary Mary,’ can claim tho hayleaf. He tells me, without fear of contradiction, that he holds tho record, having first appeared in Australia in 1880 with George Musgrove’s comic opera company. He is selling pianos now with his usual vigor, but only concluded a “professional” engagement with ‘The Sheik’ a few weeks ago. “ I insist on the qualifications being considered if anyone tries to heat mo to it. Remember, I said ‘oldest active’ member.” A fellow actor has remarked, “Oh, George must bo ninety, but he looks about forty-eight.”