JUST‘RESTING’

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 586, 12 February 1929, Page 13

JUST‘RESTING’

Mr. E. J. Tait Brings Good Theatre News

Maisie Gay for Australia

All Mr. E. J. Tait takes is a rest—he has never had a holiday in his life. I This very busy man, who is one of the directors of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., arrived by the Niagara yesterday from Sydney. He will "rest” at Taupo and the Southern lakes, fishing and sightseeing. Business transactions will not be so trying in the mountain air. One of Mr. Tait’s most important theatrical announcements made this morning was that Maisie Gay, the famous London comedienne, will come out to play her original part in Noel Coward’s now famous revue, “This Year of Grace,” which has enjoyed the most amazing success in London and New Y ork. Other English actors and actresses •who have been engaged to play in the revue will be Mollie Doherty (in the Jessie Matthews roles), Madge Aubrey, Dinka Atarace, Pat and Terry Kendall, Ted Coventry, Brian Buchel, Frank Fox and Ernest Saxton. Tom Harris is being specially 1 imported to produce the entertainment. Another special London company is opening in Adelaide on March 2 with “Young Woodley”—a play of adolescent love which created considerable discussion in London when it was first produced there. Lewis Shaw will play the name part and Natalie Moya the part of the wife, which was done in the original production by Laura Cowie. Frank Royde, George Preston and Michael Macowan will play important roles. Mr. Tait’s visit to Auckland coincides with one of the firm’s newest London ventures. This evening "Mr. Cinders, ’ a musical comedy, will open in London at the Adelphi Theatre under the J. C. W. banner. The firm is already firmly established there with “The Patsy,” a comedy which has been so successful in Australia that it cannot be taken off. New Zealand, says Mr. Tait, will see "The Patsy” in two or three months’ time. The next big musical production for Australia will be “Show Boat,” at present playing in Drury Dane with Marie Burke in the cast. George Highland has been sent to New York to see the production there, and Sir George Tallis and Mr. Nevin Tait are selecting a suitable cast in London. Of current Australian production, Mr. Tait says that "Hit the Deck” and "The Desert Song” are both great successes. Leon Gordon is to do a new Edgar "Wallace thrill, "The Flying Squad.” "Pigs,” with an American company, is making Sydney audiences chuckle. Pavlova, the famous Russian dancer, will arrive in Queensland on March 19; Alfred Frith, Helen Patterson and William Valentine are due from America shortly to play in "The Five O’clock Girl.” "The New Moon” and "Follow Through” are two more musical comedies set down for production shortly. Mr. Tait says that the "talkies” are doing enormous business in Australia, and although they are not perfect he thinks they have come, to stay.