The Stage

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 66

The Stage

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL. By Pasquin. The Humphrey Bishop Musical Comedy Company is appearing at Sydney Palace Theatre, Reg. Hawthorne was at latest playing in “ Follow a Star ” —an Ernest C. Rolls production—at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. May Beatty has been appearing in a San Franciso stage production, featuring Leon Errol, the Australian comedian, who has made good in the States. Louise Lovely, of the screen, who has returned to Australia after some years in America, will be remembered in the old melodrama days as Louise Carbasse. Pirie Bush, an ex-Wellington boy, is with Frank Harvey’s “ Calendar ” Company at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. It is an Edgar Wallace racecourse thriller, in which Mr Harvey, as Garry Anson, is charged with a breach of racing laws. Margaret Bannerman played in the London production after her return from Australia and New Zealand, with Owen Nares in the Anson part. Betty Balfour, the London actress, has been playing in French revue at the Palace Theatre, Paris. Amy Evans and Fraser Gange, well remembered here, were singing in New York last April. The returns from the Quinlan Opera Company’s enterprise in Australia showed a profit, and the 1924 venture was quite good financially, but the 1928 Melba-Wil-liamson operas made a loss of 130,000. There was big business in 1928, but takings of - £6OOO a week were not good enough as set off against the prodigal expenditure of £BOOO a week. The scheme of Mr Bernard Heinze to present a limited number of operas in Melbourne soon has interested J. C. Williamson Limited, and some announcement of plans may be expected at an early date. On Saturday, May 30, the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company presented, at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. “ The Mikado,” one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. The popularity of “ The Mikado ” is indicated by the fact that it has been produced all over the world, even in Japan itself. It has been said that ever since the opera was first produced it has been playing - in some part or other of the British Empire without ceasing. The lyrics of the play are inimitable. Who has not heard the “ Wandering Minstrel ” song; Ko-Ko’s famous “Taken from a County Gaol,” together with the stirring march that accompanies it; the popular “ Three Little Maids from School are We,” and the never-to-be-forgotten “TitWillow” and “The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring.” Some impatience was shown at a meeting of the Wanganui. City Council, when a letter was received from the Wanganui and District/Progress League, saying it was deplorable that such a famous singer as Mr Joseph Hislop should have to sing in his overcoat'in the Wanganui Opera House owing to the cold. It was reported that the Opera House had a thoroughly up-to-date and efficient heating service, which was under the control of those who hired the hall. No complaint from Mr Hislop had been received by the council. The custodian reported that the hall had been heated, and Mr Hislop’s dressing room had been heated electrically. .Jn his opinion it was due to the fact that the singer remained in his comparatively hot room until the performance started that he felt the cold in the auditorium. While the majority of concert artists are suffering from a falling-off in door receipts. Mr Mischa Levitzki, the famous pianist, who arrived at Auckland by the Monowai, states that a contrary experience was the case during his recent tour of America. “ The situation in the United States is rather paradoxical," he said. “While the small artist has been hit terribly by the depression—and let me assure you, the depression in America was very severe when I was there—the big artists have had a marvellous time, and some of them are establishing records Paderewski, for instance, has just broken the. record for concert takings in the United States, his fees for a total of 75 concerts from coast to coast reaching somewhere in the vicinity of £lOO,OOO. One Sunday afternoon he made £2500, and his average fee for a night was £lOOO. Heifetz, too, is reported to have had a wonderful success.”

A BEAUTIFUL VOICE.

Madame Joan Muirella, formerly Miss Muriel Allen, of Auckland, has apparently created a deep impression at Home, for, according to Mr Watson Lyle in the Musical Standard, her voice is very near to the ideal type of contralto; an outstanding example of the happy combination of circumstances —exceptional naturalvoice, reared in an exceptionally favourable atmosphere, possessed by a woman of keen musical instinct, with intelligence, a ready wit, culture, and a sympathetic personality, all factors of inestimable value in “colouring" a voice. Mr Watson wonders why she has not appeared in opera, and explains that perhaps Madame Joan is, like all sensitive artists, retiring about herself and hpr achievements—“handicaps indeed for anyone whose true place in' art is among the prime donne of this, or any previous era!” he wrote. Madame Muirella went to England from New Zealand, after studying in Auckland, Sydney and Paris.

NEW ZEALAND GIRL’S SUCCESS. Miss Gladys Petrie, of Invercargill, a pupil of .the celebrated Madame GiTly, of Paris, recently gave a recital in Paris that revealed her undoubted lyrical gifts. She is a daughter of Captain J. L. Petrie.

Miss Petrie had the patronage of Lord Tyrell, British Ambassador, her concert taking place at the Salle Chopin. Her programmes ranged from Purcell to Eric Coates, and in all she revealed sound technique and a voice of great charm. She was deservedly recalled, and was showered with flowers; her teacher was prompt with congratulations, as were her friends and admirers. She sang Handel. Havdu (“ With Verdure Clad ; Mozart. Hugo Wolf. Stravinsky, and then to the modern English song writers. Coates's “ Sea Rapture ” had a perfect rend' ring. The talented girl is to remain in Paris for the present, and before returning to New Zealand, which she has not seen for five years, will visit Germany for further training. Her sister Chailotte is a nortrait painter, while her brother Frank is an art photographer who has achieved world renown. It will be seen that the family is a talented one. MUSIC IN THE EAST. ‘‘We have seen some wonderful sights and met some remarkable people/’ writes Mr Wilfrid Thomas, of Sydney, who is touring the East as one of the Westminster Glee Singers. One of his most interesting experiences (says the Sydney Morning Herald) was that of listening to a private concert given by the orchestra of the King of Siam in the palace at Bangkok. His Majesty, who was educated in England, has developed a taste for Western music, and plays the violin. “ This symphony orchestra, which he maintains Lorn his private purse.’’ writes Mr Thomas. “ consists of 75 young men who have joined the organisation without . a knowledge of Western music. Everything has been taught to them by Duryanga, the conductor, who has never been out of Siam, but received a thorough training from his father,, a German bandmaster. The players rehearse daily from 9 till 3, and play for the Royal court about three times a week. They are at present practising Tschaikowsky’s “Fifty Symphony.” When one has heard Siamese music, which is usually played on xylophones, cymbals, and drums, it must be agreed that their achievement is remarkable.” A NOTABLE FRIENDSHIP. The late David Belasco was not a man who made acquaintances readily—he once stated in the witness box, to the astonishment of the court, that he had not spoken a dozen words to any other manager in New York city, and that if he met half of them in the street he would not recognise them—but among his close friends was the late J. C. Williamson. This was a friendship which ran back to the ’seventies, when Williamson (who later was to be known as “ the handsomest actor on Broadway,” and still later as the leading theatrical manager of Australia) was in one of the casts at the Metropolitan Theatre in San Francisco when Belasco was assistant stage manager. Dion Boucicault, sen., famous for his “ Shaughraurt,” “ The Colleen Bawn,” and “ London Assurance,” was associated with Belasco, in the outset of the latter’s career, in the production of a season of plays at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia city, Nevada. Other artists well known in Australia and New Zealand years ago with whom Belasco worked about that time were W. H. Lingard, for whom he produced W. S. Gilbert's “ Charity ” and other plays in 1874 at Maguire’s New Theatre, San Francisco; Carrie Swain, who played leading roles in nine pieces written by Belasco in San Francisco in 1877; and George Darrell and Fanny Cathcart, who were prominent in several of his productions in his San Francisco career, before he set out in 1882 for New. York, where Bronson Howard’s “ Young Mrs Winthrop ” was the first of a long list of play’s in which he was interested, and many of which he had written, either alone or in collaboration with others, like “ Madame Butterfly.” “The Girl of the Golden West,” “ Sweet Kitty Bellairs,” and “ The Return of Peter Grimm.” THE POLA NEGRI DIVORCE. Pola Negri, the film actress, who was granted a divorce in Paris recently’ from Prince Serge Mdivani on the ground of desertion, intends, so she says, henceforth to remain maritally’ free. Prince Mdivani. in dramatic contrast to this announcement, no sooner heard of his liberty than he declared his intention of immediately surrendering it to Miss Mary M'Cormic, the operatic singer. “ Such a wonderful woman as Miss M'Corinic,” he proclaimed, “ deserves a grand wedding, and she is going to have Miss Negri says she wil always be the prince's friend. ATTACK ON HOLLYWOOD. The most tremendous indictment ever brought against Hollywood is made by the famous American novelist Mr Theodore Dreiser, who has returned to New York. x . He received £30.000 for the film rights in his novel “An American Tragedy,” but he declares that he will spend every penny of it—taking the case to the Supreme Court if necessary—before he will permit Hollywood to present the emasculated version which he saw on his visit to the West. “What is the matter with America toaay,.- he asked, when questioned, and replied: -“It is the damned movies. They are like the circuses of the old Roman days; the only difference is that Hollywood fills the people with kissing scenes.” He said that producers can think of nothing but love and sex, sex and love ” The film industry can think of nothin” but kiss stuff,” with the result that they are making every housewife and clerk in the country’ believe that this junk is the only important thin"- in life.”

He continued : “If an earthquake or any other catastrophe occurred, Hollywood producers would still employ their magnificent brains on the right length of a kiss. Mr Dreiser is equally embittered by Hollywood’s treatment of its “ stars.” '* It uses them up,” he said, “ wipes the floor with them, and pitches them out. Then someone else blazes in the firmament.” He described Greta Garbo as an artist who is wasted on parts that “ any- little squeak can play.”

’ THE STAGE PROSPECT. With such genuine public appreciation of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas at the Theatre Royal and other definite signs that the people wish to hang on tenaciously to the stage as an institution, the question of what is ahead arises (says the Melbourne Age). The theatrical failures in London are reflected in a relative degree on Broadway. Sir George Tallis, discussing the subject with one of our representatives, produced the latest report of J. C. Williamson’s agent in New York. Mr Harold A. Bowden. The withdrawal of C. B. Cochran’s London revue for 1931 after a run of nine days followed the failure of Arthur Kammerstein and other entrepreneurs in New York. “ The show business here,” writes Mr Bowden, “iss in a bad way. not because of the lack of a public willing to pay- to see shows, but simply- that the material, with few exceptions, is terribly poor. It is amazing to think that not one big musical venture has shown a profit aud, on top of Arthur Hammerstein’s failure for about £360 600, with cash assets of sdnl 38 cents, several others have taken the knock pretty- badly. Curiously, three of the current successes on Broadway are English shows— ‘ Silent Witness,’ ‘ Private Lives’ (Noel Coward), and ‘The Parretts of Wimnole Street’ (Rudolph Besier’s play), which also is still running in London.”

Sir George Tallis, however, does not despair of finding material, although he is forced back to the conviction that to get a good play of universal appeal and cast it for the Australian theatre is a discouraging occupation. During the last few months, he said, the firm had been seriously considering the play- “ Strictly Dishonourable ” for Australia. But, without an actor to play the leading role, he was doubtful of its success. Was the firm still trying to secure a man for this play? Certainly, and the chance of finding him soon could be calculated at 100 to 1. He was confident that the slump in material for the theatre was just temporary For the time the old writers and composers for the stage seemed to have dried up. Most hopeful sign in the Australian theatre, however, was the swing back that had been apparent since the beginning of the year both in Australia and New Zealand. Just as the public had always supnorted the outstanding successes in stage shows, it was now taking up the same attitude in regard to talking pictures.

FILM ARTISTS’ SALARIES. The film correspondent of the London Daily Mail writes: — Revelations regarding the salaries to be paid by- Warner Brothers to the stars they are taking from Paramount have created a new cinema sensation in Hollywood. The position is aggravated by the belief in . the film world that, through the activity of free lance agents, the “star-jumping racket” is just beginning. From October next Miss Ruth Chatterton, the most successful screen actress of 1930, will receive £150.000 for two years’ work, and should an option for a further two years be exercised she will receive a further £2OO 000. Whether she works for two years or four years. Miss Chatterton has declared her determination to retire at the end of her Warner contract. Mr William Powell, yvho is also to join Warner, will be paid £35,000 for every picture in which he appears. At the moment Mr PoweO probablv leads Mr Gary- Cooper and Mr Jack- Oakie as the first of the money-making stars among the men in the Paramount studios. The case of Miss Kay- Francis is even more remarkable. By her transfer from Paramount to Warner she will no donbt enjoy- the experience of having her weeklywage raised from £l5O to £550. £l6O AN HOUR. Warner informs me that further starring contracts have been signed with Miss Constance Bennett. Miss Ann Harding, Miss Bebe Daniels. Miss Do'ore-, Costello, Mr Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Air Edward G. Robinson. Figures of salaries are not available in all cases, but Mr Robinson, the * interpreter of gangster characters, has made such a hit in America with his latest talking picture that for his services during the last six months he will collect £20.000. Aliss Harding’s present contract, which has a year to run. ca’ls for £260 a week, which is below the Warner scale, even allowing for her having received a bonus of £4OOO on the completion of “ East Lynne.”

Miss Constance Bennett’s contract, however, is tlie most exciting. It stipulates a six-hour day and a six-day week, yvliich is unprecedented, and calls for payment at the rate of £l6O an hour. Even so, on a production taking six weeks this rate of payment would amount to £440 less than the £35,000 to be paid to Mr Powell. WILL ROGERS’S £3600 A WEEK.

These figures may read like fiction and may- make the £250 paid to Rin-Tin-Tin for personal appearances in variety look like mere dog-biscuit money; but we have for comparison the undoubted fact that during the next two years Mr Wilf Ro-ers will be paid at the rate of £3600 a week. Moreover, it should be recalled that 14 Miss Mary Pickford was paid £70,000 per picture for three pictures made by First National.

The whole of star salaries is now being investigated by Air Will Hays, who,, as czar of the American film industry, is probably the parent of the most unruly children in the world. Here the dice are heavily loaded against him. S I. have first-hand knowledge of an ancient grudge which is playing a large part in this disruption of the stars, and which is not yet satisfied.

Also, star salaries in talking pictures are still generally less than they- were .in silent films, in spite of talking pictures making much more money than silent films.

Again, film agents, having tasted blood, are now believed to be planning raids on all studios in Holly-wood. They- seem resolved to force an all-round increase in star salaries, and it is difficult to see what producers can do to meet this attack, in spite of their having to spend an extra £BOO.OOO in star sa’aries in 1930 and their being faced in the present year with an additional £2.000,000.

“CITY LIGHTS.” LONDON, May 25. Al. Jean Sarment, say-s the Paris correspondent of the News-Chronicle, arcuses Mr Charles Chaplin of plagiarism, alleging that the central idea of the latter’s new film. “City- L-ehts,” is identical with that of his nhav. “ The Most Beautiful Eyes in the World.”

The plav. M. Sarment states, was written in. 1922. produced in 1925. translated into 10 languages and bought for America in 1925 bv a manager who intended to submit it to Mr Chaplin. M. Sarment docs not accuse Mr Chaplin of bad faith, bnt suggests unconscious cerebration, and asks what are his intentions as a great artist and a new knight of the Legion of Honour. Both plays are running in Paris, and M. Sarment will proceed to law if Mr Chaplin unduly delays his reply. WING WHISPERS. By Peter Paw. WELLINGTON", June 4. Dear “ Pasquin,”—Last night’s big event in the Town Hall was the Hislop-Goodman-Philharmonic concert, attended by a large audience and enthusiastically acclaimed as quite the most exciting thing that has happened musically for some time. The playing of Isidor Goodman, the pianist, of Saint-Saens’ Concerto in C minor with the orchestra was a brilliant effort, quite the best concerto playing that has been heard in Wellington. The orchestra, guided by Mr John Bishop, rose to great heights, and with Mr Goodman’s glamorous inspiration, the result was a poetic interpretation. The concerto was accorded an ovation, and Mr Goodman had to play three recalls before the audience agreed that he must be a very tired young man, and let him go. The recalls were Liszt’s Campanella and the dainty Arabesque of Leschetizki. Mr Hislop, in magnificent voice, had his proper background for his operatic contributions from Wagner’s “Meistersingers” and Gounod’s “Faust”—the latter. “Thou Dwelling Pure and Lowly,” being sung in French. The overture to the Wagnerian “Prize Song ” was a short resume of the opera itself, and the orchestra acquitted itself admirably in this complicated and strenuous introduction. Mr Hislop’s version was delightfully sincere, and he was accorded an ovation, too. His solo contributions, accompanied by Mr Goodman, were “ O, Maiden, My Maiden,” from Lehar’s “Frederica” operetta: “All Souls Dav," a Strauss number; “ The Bonnie Wee Tiling,” and a comic Irish lilt. The popular tenor had a most hearty farewell from Wellington admirers, and it was with a genuine feeling of regret that the large “ house ” saw his departing back. The orchestra was at its best in Mozart’s tuneful E flat Concerto, a graceful, calm, placid number, in contrast to the Meistersingers’ Overture. The everdelightful “ Invitation to the Waltz,” by Weber, concluded the notable programme. Mr Bishop and his orchestra deserve much at the hands of the Wellington public, for so consistently keeping good music before it. The next celebrity concert takes place in July. The Wellington Harmonic Society, under Mr H. Temple White, is giving a concert in the Concert Chamber to-night—the first of the season. The choir will sing several numbers, and soloists will be Miss Myra Sawyer, Mr Bex Harrison, a baritone who is well known as a broadcasting favourite, but who is making his first platform appearance in Wellington with the Harmonics. Miss Elvira Wycherley, a talented ’cellist from Palmerston North, is to add variety to a programme that should attract all music lovers.

Allan Wilkie’s Shakespearian season commenced at the Concert Chamber this afternoon, and will be repeated to-morrow afternoon and again at two performances on Saturday. An entirely new programme will be presented on Alonday- and Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday night, after which the talented artist and his clever wife, Aliss Hunter-Watts, will enter on a Dominion tour. To appear in a single appearance as Henry Fifth. Hamlet, Alacbeth, Shylock, Jacques, and Sir Peter Teazle; or as Ophelia, Lady Alacbeth. Portia, Rosalind, and Lady Teazle Would tax the versatility- of any- but artists who are steeped in their subject. Their performance will give the essence of Shakespeare, the big scene only- from each chosen piece. An innovation is the booking for any seat in the hall. There is heavy demand for seats, and it is hoped the season will be a most successful one. Air Wilkie has been the guest of several Wellington societies since his arrival here from Australia, the Shakespearian-Dickens Society aud Rotary Clubs having entertained the distinguished visitor. Air Wilkie predicts a return to the legitimate theatre, when the theatre managers put their houses in order and the spirit of plays is improved. This is a busy musical week for. Wellington. The Philharmonic celebrity concert last evening, Allan Wilkie to-day, Harmonic Society to-night, and Caractacus. by the Royal Wellington Choral Union, on Saturday evening, under Mr Bishop’s baton.

The Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society’s next production, “ Tutankhamen,” is to be presented at the Grand Opera House on June 13, the season lasting five nights. This is a musical lyric

of old -Egypt, and with a great success in Auckland, where it. was first produced. It is set in pageantry, which, it is anticipated, will surprise jaded theatre-goers with its magnificence. Over 100 performers will be taking part, and there will be dances,, ballets, fun, and music galore. Mr Hector Liardet is producer, Air J. F. Woodward, musical director, and Air Joe Knowsley, the dancing master. The season should be a successful one, for the play chosen is a sure draw-card, ■The next attraction of. the Wellington Repertory Society- is “The Pelican,” by Tennyson Jesse and H. Al. Harwood. This extraordinary work has been revived, and is playing 'to big houses in London. Aliss Alollie Rummer, the Wellington girl who has had success at Home, is to play lead, after which she leaves for England to continue her dramatic studies. Aliss Aladeleine Clark is in town making arrangements for the appearance here on Tuesday, June 16, of Aliseha Levitzki, the pianist, who is making a New Zealand tour under Air E. J. Gravestock’s guidance. The celebrities are all coming at once, for Alark Hambourg and Peter Dawson are due on July 4, and Balokovic, the violinist, some time later.