STAGE REVIVES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1932, Page 6

STAGE REVIVES

THEATRE IN AUSTRALIA

DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS.

WELLINGTON, June 23

Before leaving for Sydney Mr John Tait, of the directorate of J. C. William,son, Ltd., said that matters theatrical in Australia appeared to be brighter now than they had been for the past two years, and the firm had last no time in “following the gleam.” They were, indeed, very active at the present time jn the exploitation of many really first-clans; 'attractions, most of which he hoped would be seen in New Zealand before very long. One of the main attraction's wit; the grand opera company which had been appearing with success in Sydney during the past month. The company not only included artists of standing in the European grand opera world, but some Australian singer,-; cf great promise. Vocally they had Madame Galli-Curci now in Melbourne, whose reappearance had been so succcissful that the visit to New Zealand had to be postponed until August.

On the musical comedy side “Blue Roses,” with Miss Mhclge Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard. had made a decided hit, and was likely to run for a long season. In the drama line the firm had two very strong attraction-', both of which were likely to prove successes in New Zealand. One was “The Barretts of Wimpole Street,” with Mw Margaret Rawlings in the lead, and the other was the advent of Dame Sybil Thorndike.) England’s representative actress, whose distinguished talent m the higher drama was so generally recognised at Home and bn the Continent. The company headed by Dame Sybil war; at present appearing in Melbourne, in George Bernard Shaw’s play, “Saint Joan.”