LIKES NEW ZEALAND

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 303, 17 August 1932, Page 6

LIKES NEW ZEALAND

MADGE ELLIOTT RETURNS FOR A SHORT VISIT.

TIIE STAGE AND TALKIES.

"We really oug'ht to have been on our way baclc to England at the end of our short Australian season, but, fortunately, our London engagements have been postponed, and I am very glad we have come back to New Zealand. I really mean that." A very pleased snule flashed aeross the clraMning fentuies of Miss Madge Elliott, one of the stars of the J. C. Williamson musical comedy , "Bluc Roses," as she told this to a reporter. ",I like visiting New Zealand, and have been keen to come back heie," ^he said. "The only thing that is not e.ppeaiing to me is the cold. Yet I shouid be used to the cold, seeing that [ live in England." i On that philosophical note Miss Elliott onee more spread her hands to the glowing fire in the hotel lounge. She confessed to having a "marvellous" time, and found that New Zealand audiences were still as fine as she had always considered them. Everywhere houses were crowded, and "Blue Roses" and its company ; were having a great run. In England the stage was doing very well, and more than holding its own with talkies. "I suppose you've heard about the great come-back by vaudeville in London ? They are run- , ning continuous performances there , from 2 o'clock in the afternoon till ' midnight, with all the best-known artists appearing." Many stage plays were being produced, and though there were a good many failures there were also successes. One of the long-run shows i.hat New Zealand would see soon was "The Barretts of Wimpole Street." "When I left England, Noel Coward's 'Cavalcade,' an arrangement of dramatic tableaux, was creating a ;:ensat on," said Miss Elliott. "They have built some wonderful new oheatres in England, and there is a distinct move to the intlmat'a theatre, where audience and players are more . in touch. The new talkie theatres, on the other hand, ara huge places and very ornate." ' She thought the theatre was looking up in Australia. "You're going to have a lot more shows here. Sybil fhorndlke will be coming over, and an English company will bring out 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street.' Then there is the grand opara, which is having a great run in Australia. J "We are very busilv occupied on this tour with our two productions, and t;-e rehearsals for our new- show, :Hold My Hand,' which had a long run it the Gaiety in London. We won't be presenting it here, but will do it in Sydney and Melbourne before leav'ng for England." Miss Elliott and Mr. Cyril Ritchard will ba leaving Australia for England :n January next, returning to play with Leslie Henson.