BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 13

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

ENGLISH COMEDY COMPANY AT OPERA HOUSE Joseph Cunningham’s New English Comedy Companv commenced a New Zealand tour at Wellington last Tuesday. The opening production was “The Unfair Sex,” to be followed by “The Sport of Kings,” lan Hay’s racing drama, followed by “Eliza Comes to Stay,” and “Outward Bound.” The company, which has been very popular in Australia, is headed bv Miss Zillah Bateman and Mr Joseph Cunningham, and includes Messrs Reginald Newson and Frank Bradley. It is a splendid combination, and with a strong cast in each production, gives a dramatic presentation of a very high standard. “Eliza Comes to

Stay,” another groit London sucoess, will be staged on Monday. • * • •

By the coming into the field of theatrical management in Australia and New Zealand of Messrs Dick White and Eric Edgley, who are directing the tour of Joseph Cunningham’s New English Comedy Company, which has made quite a notable hit in “The Unfair Sex,” and “Eliza Comes to Stay,” the theatre-going public; benefit by reason of greater competition and wider choice. “We are out to give the public what, by experience, we conclude they want,” sav Messrs White and Edgley, and the success in Australia of the unique repertoire, which also includes “The Sport of Kings,” and “Outward Bound,assuredly justifies tHeir conclusions.

« These plays, which carry London’s seal of success so conspicuously, are long overdue in New Zealand.

ACTRESS—AND ELOCUTIONIST Elocutionists and those who have a predilection for clear enunciation and correct intonation, two essentials in stage and platform equipment, should not miss the opportunity of hearing Miss Henrietta Cavendish, of the Joseph Cunningham English Comedy Company, now starting a brief tour of New Zealand at the Grand Opera House, Wellington. It is a treat to hear English spoken as it should be spoken, without any mouthing, and with proper regard for the splitting of sibilants and the pronouncing of final consonants. Miss Cavendish has earned her undoubted distinction as an actress in the principal West End London theatres, and is touring New Zealand for the first time, and those who have heard and seen her in “The Unfair Sex” and “Eliza Comes to Stay” hope it will not be her last. • • • • MISS BERYL BARRACLOUGH Miss Beryl Barraelough, the delightful character comedienne with the Joseph Cunningham’s New English Comedy Company, which has commenced a New Zealand tour at the Opera House. Wellington, hails from Sheffield, and is as bright as the steel which has made her home town famous the world over. Miss Barraelough is much travelled, having toured South Africa, the near, middle and far East, Egypt and the Continent. One can qnite imagine that these peregrina. tions would include some thrilling adventures. but the most thrilling of all stands “starred” in her diary as the night she danced with the Prince of Woles at a supper party given at Government House. Madras. India, by Lord Willingdon. after a performance of “Romance,” in which Miss Barraclough played the lead.

Two new shows are now on at Sydney. “Betty Lee,” a musical comedy with a Mexican setting, replaces the tnnefnl “Mercenary Mary.” Madgo White plays the lend in the new production. and the east of “Mercenary srary”s r ary” has h<v»n added fa ''! order to %CTgthe;i the new comedy. Zat. So!” a boxing comedy with Wehard Taber, the nart author, in the leading male role, is now a.t Sydney. Both aro for New Zealand. “Meet the Wife.” the E. J. Car. vufl product ion, will open in Melbourne soon. Sir Beniamin Fuller, fully recovered from liis recent. indi;nosftion. was, at Tnfmt mail advises, at Melbourne on bittiness.

LES PEARCE AT HIS MAJESTY’S A splendid acquisition to the Hector St. Clair Revue Company is the inclusion of Mr Les. Pearce, who will best be remembered in Hugh J. Ward’s various productions, and recently as leading man in such plays as “The Rise of Rosie O’Riley,” and “Jessie James,” which had such successful runs on the Australian stage. Possessing a strong personality and an excellent baritone voice, full of vigour and strength, Mr Les. Pearce received a warm reception at His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday night, which was his first appearance in the Hector St. Clair company, having stepped direct from Australia per the s.s. Ulimaroa that day. The Hector St. Clair Revue Corn-

pany has already set itself firmly and favourably in the hearts of Wellington audiences, and the company and patrons are indeed fortunate in having such an exceedingly strong and finished performer as Mr Les. Pearce in their midst. » e * •

MR JOHN FULLER ARRIVES Mr John Fuller (governing director of the firm of J. Fuller and Sons, Ltd., the well-known Australian and New Zealand theatrical proprietors), is pay, ing a brief business visit to the Dominion. He arrived at Wellington from Auckland this week, and has been a very busy man since setting foot in the Empire City. Mr Fuller will not go South this trip, but will confine himself to operations in the North Island.

A FULLER FAVOURITE A popular favourite to return to Fullers is Harold Walden, who has the facility of singing an uproariously funny song with a mild sort of disinterestedness that never fails to bring the house down. His original number, “Only Me Knows Why,” is developing into something of a classic, and the number of added verses is reaching re-cord-breaking proportions. Harold a an Englishman, who has decided to settle in Australia. He expects his wife and family out from home within the next few weeks. An all night show at the Tivoli, Melbourne, recently, was a great suc-

cess. This is the first show of its kind seen in Melbourne, and there has never been a greater demand for seats at the Tivoli. People were standing in the gangways, and every seat was occupied. Henry Sandtrey and his famous jazz hand were the big attraction. Impromptu turns were given by Jim Gerald, Miss Marie Burke, Mr Claude Fleming, and Mr J. C. Baucks. After tlio show, a long line of taxis wended their wav homeward in the cnrlv hours of the morning, carrying a band of revellers .well satisfied