REPERTORY PRODUCER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 8

REPERTORY PRODUCER

RETURN TO GISBORNE “CHARLEY’S AUNT” CO. “‘The public gets the entertainment it deserves.’ said St. John Irvine, the noted English critic, and in this, generally speaking, I am tempted to agree,” said Mr. Frederic McCallum, who has arrived in Gisborne ahead of the “Charley’s Aunt” company. “However, in regard to Gisborne, I have always felt that due to transport and other difficulties this town for many years lias been harshly treated in the matter of touring professional entertainments. To fill this want, which is evident in many other New Zealand towns also, the Celebrity Comedy Company was formed in tile Dominion to bring Australian and English artists of proven popularity through the country fairly regularly in a variety of entertainment fare,” continued Mr. McCallum. "This move lias met with tremendous success since the company commenced its New Zealand tour in Auckland five weeks ago, and the provincial towns have shown by their ready response and enthusiastic reception that they are more than ready for such a venture. The promoters have gone to great pains to secure such well-known comedians as Don Nicol and Phil Smith, while arrangements have been made with the J. C, Williamson Company for the appearance of other popular players, including Misses Aiat'nca Siddons, Mary Duncan, and Leal Douglas from ‘The Women" Company and Miss Shirley Ann Richards, the popular Cinesolind film star, who has been seen in a number of recent Australian productions.

“The first plays chosen are proven successes and have been selected to provide Gisborne with three nights of thoroughly mirthful entertainment.” Mr. McCallum will be remembered by Gisborne theatregoers as producer and character lend in the production of “Baby Cyclone” some seven years ago. For four years he was producing lor the Auckland Middle Theatre, which was at that lime the largest repertory society in the Empire, and produced (iO productions and appeared in over 150 roles. lie was engaged as lecturer in production, scene treatments, lighting, and make-up for the British Drama League School in 1935.

“Future Gisborne presentations,” said Mr. McCallum, “will depend largely upon the reception accorded this venture, while the same incentive offers to the company to provide well-played, well-produced and popular presentations.”