Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 442, 25 August 1928, Page 17

Round The Shows

PERCY HUTCHISON COMING TO AUCKLAND Commencing at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, September 5, the J. C. Williamson firm announce their next big attraction, the eminent London actor-manager, Percy Hutchison and his complete London company of West End artists. The opening production is “The Laughing Optimist,” a three-act comedy of love and laughter by Rida Johnson Young, which will be followed by “Mr. What’s-His-Name," a French farce by Seymour Hicks. Percy Hutchison l s an outstanding figure in London theatrical circles. He has played the principal parts in his various plays at 17 London theatres, which he has controlled at various periods of his career. Of “The Laughing Optimist,” a critic says: “The amusing manner in which the play scotches the ‘deadly peril’ provides an evening’s light and attractive fare leavened by many genuinely new jokes. John Barron has concentrated on dollars all his life, and amassed a mint of millions —and no friends, no books, no operas, nothing apparently beside the pile of almighty dollars. And of course he didn’t know what he was missing till he met goldenhaired Phyllis Dawn, spoiled daughter of a literary genius.” To tell more would spoil it. “Mr. What’s-His-Name,” the second production, is a French farce by Seymour Hicks. It is described as a fragrant and frequent difficulty that occurred between the hours of six and nine. The London company includes Frances Dillon, Stella Francis, E. Rayson Cousins, R. Stewart West, Mary Beachley, V. Watts-W'eston, Joan Rogers, Townsend Whitling, Violet Ley, Dorothy Stanward, Leslie Laurier. The box plans open on Monday, September 3, at Lewis Eady’s, Ltd.

There is no need to introduce Hal Roach’s rascals to the public of New Zealand. They are known to everyone everywhere. Their spontaneous and natural fun making have endeared them to all. In “Barnum and Ringling, Inc.,” now screening on “Across to Singapore” programme, these mischievous young rascals prove their ingenuity in conducting a “home-made” circus.

“SUNRISE” TO BE SEEN IN”aUCKLAND Admirers of winsome Janet Gaynor, who made an instantaneous hit as Diane in “Seventh Heaven,” will have another opportunity of seeing her in a captivating role in “Sunrise,” shortly to be released. “Sunrise” is the most important picture yet released by Fox Films, and was produced with an especially selected cast headed by Miss Gaynor and George O’Brien. Great as was her triumph, in “Seventh Heaven,” her performance in “Sunrise” has been pronounced superior to anything she has previously done, because it calls for a much wider range of histrionic ability and puts her to a test from which less competent stars would have withdrawn. The acclaim which “Sunrise” received in such large measure in New York, Los Angeles, England and on the Continent, when it was first released, was not due entirely, however, to the work of its cast. The dramatic simplicity of the story and the phenomeiml photography were equally responsible for the praise it received from the first critics who reviewed it.

HEENEY-TUNNEY FIGHT SHOWN NEXT WEDNESDAY The official film of the IleeneyTunney light is at present on its way to New Zealand, and will be shown for the first time in Auckland next Wednpaflav. The screening rights have been secured by the Hippodrome Theatres, Ltd., and the film will be shown at the Hippodrome, Empress, and West End Theatres. This film shows

the great fight as seen at the ring-

side, every round being clearly depicted. Lionel Barrymore, who is famous alike on the stage and screen as a

character actor of no mean ability, hr.s signed a new long-term contract with M e tr o - G old wy n - M ayer.

WILLIAM HEUGHAN TO GIVE FINAL CONCERT All who had the pleasure of hearing him, and those who still have this pleasure in store, will be pleased to learn that, prior to his departure for Australia and the Orient in continuation of his world tour, that famous actor-singer William Heughan will give final concerts in the Town Hall on Saturday, September 1, and Tuesday’’, September 4. Heughan was trained by the celebrated master who trained John McCormack, Sabatini of Milan, and, like McCormack, made his first operatic appearances at Italian opera houses and at Covent Garden. Subsequently he struck out for himself on an entirely new path, that of bringing to universal notice the beauty and charm of folk songs, especially the folk songs of Scotland. Heughan has, however, not overlooked in his great repertoire the classical masterpieces of all nations. The once celebrated operatic singer, Herman Devries, now critic for t he “Chicago-Ameriean,” recognised Heughan’s equal mastery in that difficult field when he wrote: “After I heard him sing Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden,’ and Moussorgskie’s ‘Song of the Flea,* I knew I was in the presence of a fine artist. He is indeed a magnificent vocalist, and a superb mime, by reason of the union of every gift of nature, every accomplishment of perfect training.” Gladys Sayer, pianiste, and Maud Bell, ’cellist, are again assisting artists. Miss Bell was trained in pre-war Berlin by the famous Belgian ’cellist, Marix Loevensohn, and at the Brussels Conservatoire. Miss Sayer is also a graduate of the Brussels Conservatoire, and has studied under several famous pianists. Box plans open at Lewis Eady. Ltd., next Wednesday morning. “The Single Man,” the stage play by Hubert Henry Davies, has been purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as the next co-starring vehicle for Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, who recently completed work on “The Baby Cyclone.” Harry Beaumont, who has just finished “Our Dancing Daughters,” will direct.