BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12621, 4 December 1926, Page 13

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CO. Six different pieces in six days stands as a record to the Gilbert an<l Sullivan Opera Company’s return visit to Auckland. Crowded houses at every pertormance testified to the popularity of operas and players, and the curtain was rung down at His Majesty's on Tuesday night after an unusually animated demonstration. It is interesting to note that the revivals wore “The Gondoliers." “Yeomen of the Guard,’* “lolan--1 he," “Mikado." “Pinafore" (with “Trial by Jury”', and “Pirates of Pen-

tance/* The company left by the Wainui for Gisborne at the conclusion of the Auckland season. After a week in the southern town they play Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North and Masterton, thence Wellington (December 14th to 20th), before returning to Sydney for the Christmas opening. » • • • Comedy will be the keynote of the Humphrey Bishop Company's entertainment, and is in the capable hands of “Scratcher” Ross, Mark Leslie, Dan Flood and Charles Albert. TTie latter comedian is making his first visit to New Zealand after many years* absence —his last appearance here being in •fPaul Jones,** with the famous Pollard Opera Co.—when he was a mere child.

Mias Lola Hunt, the handsome brunette who played in revues on the Fuller circuit, is now appearing in the Wylie*Tate musical productions in London. FULLER PANTOMIMES 'Mack and the Beanstalk/* the London Hippodrome pantomime, is to be one of the Fuller attractions in Sydney for Christmas. Miss Elsie Prince has been cast to appear as Jack the Giant Killer, and prominent parts will be played by Charles Morton, Harry Burgess (the Giant), Jimmy Godden (Muffins), Joe Brennan (dame), and Ida Newton (the Fairy Queen). In Melbourne Jim Gerald, the popular comedian In Fuller vaudeville, will have the chief comedy part as Billvm, the cat, in “Puss in Boots/* Miss Sadie Gale, tho bright little eoubrette with the Hector St. Clair Revue Company, was sent for post haste to Sydney to take an important part in “Betty Lee,"

“THE GIRL BEHIND THE _ COUNTER’* Hearty congratulations to Mr David Devitt and company for the success achieved in “The Girl Behind the Counter" at the Grand Opera House. The piece is being produced by Mr D. Devitt, and the proceeds are to go to St. Mary's Home, at Karori. The cast is composed of Wellington amateurs, and a feature of the comedy is the work of the ballets and the specialty dancers. The ballet is comprised of Beryl Hunter, Margaret Heyworth, Gina Pedder, Alice Walker,

Florence Walker, Joyce Hawkens, Nancy Williams, Roma Bitossi, and Leah Beadnail. The part is well played by Alice Harris, as Winifred Willoughby, who falls in love with Charlie Chetwynd, iu6t returned from West Africa. Both. Mrs Harris and Mr Byrne are the possessors of excellent voices. The comedy is in the capable hands of Lillian Grey, Mollie Plimmer, Kathlyn Murie, Mabel Robertson, Robert Charlton, Jack Cameron, Joseph Hunt, Harold Abbot, James Mcßryde and Leslie Anderson. In addition to Florence Heyworth and Philip Low, the specialty dancers include Joan Carter, Muriel Wilton, Gladys Smyth, Irene Wilson, Iris Low,* Zeena Holden, and Dot Wheeler. Mr Len Barnes has charge of the music. Tho

production reflects the highest oredit on all concerned. • * • • The opening of the new Regent Theatre, in Manners street, Wellington, has been postponed until Friday. December 10th. * • • * Mr John E. Kennebeck, , director of publicity for Famous Lasky Film Service, Ltd., who is visiting New Zealand for the purpose of making arrangements for the arrival of tho Indians, who appear in the prologue for the big Zone Grey picture, “The Vanishing Race," and to supervise publicity for the big Paramount production, “Beau Geste/* is at present in Auckland. • * * • It is reported that a Picture Showmen's Association of New Zealand has been formed for the purpoeo of combating any legislation detrimental to the business. Mr W. Robertson, lato manager of tho Grand Theatre, Christchurch, has been appointed secretary of the new organisation.