Plays and Pictures.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 74, 9 August 1912, Page 6

Plays and Pictures.

Two first-class theatrical attractions will descend on New Zealand next week. "The Blue Bird" will perch first upon Auckland, find Wellington will witness the, disembarkation of "Sinbarl the iSiiilor." Both the fairy play ami the pantomime are real, prime goods, 18----carat, stamped on every link, and warranted to stand the- acid test. They are calculated to charm and captivate tho most blase of theatregoers, and should prove :i. rare delight to all in quest of refreshing and invigorating entertainment. * * # "The Blue, Bird"—who has nob heard of it the whole world over—has been described, as "a play of never-ending delight." It is .1 play that brings tears to your eyes one moment and chases them away with laughter the next ; plunges you into deep reverie, and awakens you suddenly with some joyous surprise ; delights you with, its spirit of whimsirfi! liiiiim • and consoles you with its message of hope;.and astounds you throughout with its exrjuisite, wonderful blond of philosophy and fancy. In "The Blue Bird," two little children typify humanity in its fighfc against the world. They visit strange lands and experience startling adventures in their search for the Blue Bird, and after all their jounieyings they find it at home, while Iney arc doing an act of kindness to the sick little girl of a neighbor. The "kiddies" of New Zealand will retain delightful recollections of Maeterlinck's phairtasy for many and many a moon; the "grown-ups" will find in it a new refreshment for jaded appetites. • • « "Sinbad tho Sailor" is one of the most successful of pantomimes—a mon-ey-maker all along the line—«ver presented by the Williamson management. It is full of gaiety, glitter, and gorgeousness, and even Solomon in all his glory would take a green fit of envy if he could behold its magnificence, and as for his numerous wives and concubines, they are far outshone in beauty and elegance by the dashing damsels of the panto., "good-lookers" every one of them. The principals of the company aro all tip-toppers in their several spheres, and the chorus,.corps do ballet, and orchestra are as capable and complete as they can be. The scenic splendours are many, the fun and frivo would move a mummy to mirth, and thero aro a thousand and one delights in song, dance, jest and spectacle, to dazzle the eye, captivate the ear, charm the senses and haunt the memory. The Dominion's in for a treat. Do not miss it. '. ] • * ' * In a. revival of "Tho Bad Girl of the Family" at the Sydney Adelphi, Miss Jennie. Pollock, erst of Auckland, appeared as Bess Moore, and we are told that "with just the right amount of dash in her stage style, she set the pace for tho other members of tho com-: pany." * * * Concerning Margaret Cooper, a South Island exchange says: "She would win an. audience even though she sang not one, note, nor struck a chord on the piano. Sho is vivacious—at once intimate and a trifle mystifying; in turn sho is naive as a child and tantalising as an actress often likes to be." ♦ .* * In a letter to a Sydney friend, Carrie Moore writes: "I have been asked ever so many times why I went into vaudeville. There is no answer to it. Going into vaudeville has become a habit in England and America; I simply conIracted tho habit, that's all." The London correspondent of a New, York paper wrote a few weeks ago:— "If some American, manager could persuade Edmund Gwenn to take a trip to the States, he would probably make a. small fortune. Mr. Gwenn is the greatest character actor in England to-day, and quite a young man. No kind of part comes amiss to him. Hβ is a veritable sensitised plate for the reception of characters from life." Mr. Gwenn's great talent was recognised in Australasia while ho was a member of tho "Sherlock Holmes" and other companies. Tho English actor did some of his best work while he was supporting Miss Tittell Bruno in "Sunday," of which his impersonation of Lively was a feature.