STAGELAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 24

STAGELAND

(By

COTHURNUS)

FIXTURES HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE February 15-25, “Tip Toes.” Feb. (indefinite): “The Ringer” and “The Terror”; Maurice Moscovitch. COMING “Archie” (Elsie Prince), “Madame Pompadour.” “Tell Me more.” “Tip Toes.” “Castles in the Air.’

Critics praise “Lumber Love,” which was first produced at Birmingham recently before a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The “Birmingham Gazette’s” dramatic critic predicts that it will be a second “Rose Marie,” and pays a tribute to the charming music, in the revision of which Berte Adams and Miss Emmett Adams collaborated. The London “Evening News” says it is delightfully tuneful and extraordinarily vivacious. * * # Edna Thomas, “The Lady from Louisiana,” who toured New Zealand two* years ago, is giving a series of matinees at St. Martin’s Theatre, London, when her programme will include negro spirituals and Creole songs, street cries and plantation melodies. It was at a big party, given by Mrs. Lionel Harris about five years ago, that Miss Thomas made her London debut. This beautiful hostess inaugurated the American Women’s Club in Grosvenor Street on that occasion, so it was suitable that an artist of Miss Thomas’s calibre should appear. The Best Peter of “Peter Pan ” Jean Forbes Robertson Scores London Success “Peter Pan” still refuses to grow up. When it was revived at the Gaiety Theatre, London, last; month, the magic of Barrie proved as wonderful as when the piece was produced in 1904. Chiefly the revival was made important by the entrance of a new Peter and a new Wendy. Jean ForbesRobertson was the new Peter. She was the 11th of a line of Peters which began with Nina Boucicault 23 years ago, and in some respects she proved herself the best of all the Pete.rs. She showed that elfin touch which others —with the single exception of

Miss Boucicault—have missed. She put a feeling which almost drew tears into some of her scenes. And her charming smile was a thing to remember. The new Wendy was Mary Casson, the little daughter of Lewis Casson and his wife, Sybil Thorndike. This clever child of clever parents is not yet 14 years old, but she made Wendy a real little mother. Her elocution is good, and, unlike most child actresses, she has nothing of affectation. She was always perfectly natural. Miss Forbes Robertson toured New Zealand with her mother. Lady Forbes Robertson, some years ago.

Marie Lohr played Mrs. Darling in "Peter Pan” at the Gaiety Theatre, London, this year. Her daughter, Jane Prinsep, also appeared in the play.

Lizette Parkes, a popular musical comedy and dramatic star of other years, may return to the stage. For some years now she has been the wife of Dr. Andrews, of Sydney. Her sister, Elsie, was playing here last year in “No, No, Nanette.” Lizette Parkes will be remembered in the days of Julius Knight and Irene Browne. She also played in “Peter Pan“ throughout New Zealand.

Dorothy Seacombe, who toured New Zealand with Lawrence Grossmith under the J.C.W. banner, some years ago, was the principal boy in “Queen of Hearts” at the Lyceum Theatre, London, at Christmastime.

Although the New Zealand cast of “Tip Toes” and “Queen High” has not been decided upon, with the exception of Elizabeth Morgan, Gus Bluett and R. Barrett - Lennard, the following may come over: Cecil Kelleway, Roy Russell, Leyland Hodgson, Thelma Burness, Jessica Newcombe and Billee Lockwood.

Louis Bennison, who is claiming £l,lOO from J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for wrongful dismissal, is now on his way to America. His evidence was taken on commission before he left. It was alleged that suggestions had been made against Bennison that he was under the influence of drink on the sixth night of the run of “The Road to Rome,” on which occasion he kissed the senator’s wife (Daphne Blair, the understudy), far too enthusiastically and passionately. Furthermore, it was alleged that following Mr. Bennison’s dismissal, he was reinstated at a salary of £ 60, whereas his contract salary was said to be £IOO a week.

The correspondent of “The Times” in Madrid reports that the whole nation paid homage to Maria Guerroro, Spain’s Sarah Bernhardt, who was buried recently. The King andjgCiueen of Spain and other before her body, and thousands visited the remains in the Princess Theatre, the scene of her triumphs in Madrid.

Leon Gordon, opened his Sydney season on January 28 at the Royal in “The Trial of Mary Dugan.” The Gordon company runs thus: Leon at the helm: Gwyn Graham, leading lady? Ben Lewin as the judge; Iris West, Frederick Roland, who produces; Daphne Bairn, Pirie Bush, Molly Fisher, George Kensington, John Fernside, Edwin Lester, Reg Wykeham, Charles Wheeler, Dion Wheeler, Muriel Lewis, and Brandon Peters as leading juvenile.

Success in London Author’s First Play Rejected in Auckland “JUST AS YOU SAY, DEAR” Auckland may lay just claim to George H. R. Young, author of “Just As You Say, Dear!” the farce which has had its London premiere at the “Q” Theatre. He wrote his farce while in Auckland, where he was a student. It was originally written in connecti un with the students’ competition at the Auckland University College, but it

was not considered a prize-winner. Mr. Young was later transferred to Wellington and the students’ association there, requiring a play for its annual carnival, arranged with him to produce the play in Wellington. It proved a decided success and received complimentary notices from the Wellington Press. Mr. Young has always been keenlyinterested in the drama and a year ago decided to try his luck in London, where he is evidently meeting with success. The first draft of “Just as You Say, Dear I” is in the possession of Mr. E. B. B. Boswell, of Auckland, uncle of Mr. Young. Short Runs in London Theatres Horace Hodges in Tears ' “THE CAVE MAN” FAILS After a run of only a week, the shortest in the history of the theatre, the comedy, “The Cave Man,” was taken off at. the Savoy Theatre, London. The failure of the play came as a shock after being enthusiastically received on the opening night, and the disbandment of the company just bebore Christmas accentuates a tragic feature of West End theatre life that has been fairly common recently. The play had a splendid reception on the last night, but scarcely a membe.r of the audience, which included Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, knew that they were seeing its last performance. When the final curtain fell. Horace Hodges, who played the leading part, was in tears.

Other short runs of recent weeks include: “The Music Master,” which had 15 performances at the Apollo; Noel Coward's “Sirocco,” withdrawn from Daly's after three weeks fend three days; and his “Home Chat,” which finished in five weeks.

Gerard and Enid Adair, two London specialty dancers, will come to New New Zealand with “Tip Toes,” a dancing musical comedy to open in Auckland on February 15. In the cast of a New Y'ork production, “Interference,” are two players well known here —Arthur Wontner and Kathlene Macdowell. The former played through New Zealand with Julius Knight and Maud Jeffries in “The Eternal City” (playing Bonelli), and the latter co-starred with Charles Waldron in “Daddy Long Legs” and other plays.

Some of us were a little surrpised by the unconventional methods of Ann Suter, a comedienne from the southern States of America, says a Melbourne journal. She sings, of course, but, above all, she acts. Her songs are undeniably clever examples of “jazz” composition, and while she sings she exhibits remarkable mobility of expression and elasticity of limbs, contorting her body into positions which would be an inspiration to most caricaturists —possibly ,even to Mr. Max Beerbohm himself. Not everybody admires this negroid kind of thing, but as interpreted by Miss Suter, it is extremely popular with Tivoli audiences.

The following 1 is from “London Stage”: “As a rule, John Kirby told me the other day, Australian actors are without honour in their own country. They come to England or go toAmerica to make their name. He astonished me by saying that in almost every theatre in London there is an Australian artist. When he was in ‘Lady Luck,’ there were four: Cyril Ritchard, Madge Elliott, Jose Melville and himself. Other notable instances are Clarice Hardwieke, at Lane; Gladys Moncrieff, Vera Pearce, Kitty Reidy, and Rita Nugent. Dorothy Brunton, who appeared recently in ‘The Climax,’ is another who may be cited as a exception to the rule for, before she took up straight acting, she was the most popular musical comedy actress in the Antipodes. The outstanding example of an Australian who has made good away from home is Albert Whelan, who, when he returned some time ago, was as big a success over there as he is here.” Coming Back Well Known Actress GERTRUDE ESDAILLE TO BE SEEN IN TABLOID PLAYS A well-known and experienced actress, Gertrude Esdaille, will shortly make her reappearance bn the stage in Auckland. ~ A series of tabloid plays is to be presented by Mr. Conroy Smithson, and Miss Esdaille will appear in them. She has a repertoire of success to her credit and studied her profession under the late Charles Taylor, of the old Taylor- Carrington Company, with which she toured Australia before accepting an engagement with Alf W'oods to play Madame Valerie in “Hands Across the Sea” and other parts. Miss Esdaille then met the late Ada Lee, sister of Jennie Lee, and the two became great friends. Many of the older generation of theatregoers will remember Miss Esdaille’s performance as Madame Vinard in “Trilby,” and as Lady Gertrude in “The Sorrows of Satan.” when she toured New Zealand with George Darrell’s Company. Later Miss Esdaille was associated with Miss Fitzmaurice Gill in "Dr. Bill” and “East Lynne.” In the last-named play she was engaged by Sanford’s American Players for a tour. Under the J. C. Williamson banner Miss Esdaille played in “Daddy Longlegs” with Kathleen Macdonell and Charles Waldron, and was afterwards associated with many wellknown managers, including the late D'Orsay Ogden, 'William Anderson, Charles Verner. Kate Howard and the ' late Stirling White. Incidentally Miss Esdaille has literary tastes, and her prose has won favourable comment. She writes under the name of G. Omaha Blandford. -

Pantomime Dead Killed. By Revue GEORGE ROBEY’S VIEWS “Pantomime is dead!" It was George Robey, the famous London comedian, who made this dread pronouncement. He was asked why he was forsaking pantomime, and he replied: “I don’t think I am. Pantomime has forsaken me. lam sorry, but the day of pantomime is over. “That is due,” he said, “to two reasons: The small revues which go around the provinces all the year forestall the pantomimes; and the cinema has taken away nearly all the old pantomime glamour. “The old stage tricks I used to work —the red-hot poker, the seven-league boots, and the other bits of ‘magic’ don’t amuse the children at all to-day. “They’re used to seeing at the cinema men who can step over a house in one stride, Peter Pans who really fly, and pumpkins that turn into fairy coaches before their eyes. “I think the cinema has done its worst now as far as its effect on the theatre is concerned. Of course, it makes a big difference. It would be silly to say it didn’t. “Where the cinema is lacking is that it must always remain mechanical. Even when the mechanically produced spoken dialogue accompanying the film is perfected, it will not have the personal touch. George Robey is down on jazz. “Jazz,” he said, “is a jingling, jangling enormity fit only for the place it emanated from. “Jazz leaves me cold: I’m heartily sick of it. My chief objection to it is that it is thoroughly un-English. “That was brought home very forcibly to me when I was out in South Africa. The negroes wriggle about in much the same way as our chorus girls do; and they sing the same tuneless sort of ditties.”