Stageland

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 762, 7 September 1929, Page 24

Stageland

By

COTHURNUS

FIXTURES HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE Now Playing: “Florodora,” Amateur ; Operatic Society. September 14-21: Westminster Glee Singers. November: “The Desert Song.” Lance Fairfax. COMING “This Year of Grace,” Maisie Gay. “No. 17,” Nat Madison. ST. JAMES THEATRE Now Playing: “Rio Rita,” Gladys Moncrieff. COMING “Lido Lady.” “Baby Cyclone” and “Good News,” ! Elsie Prince and Jimmy Godden. CONCERT CHAMBER September 11, 12, 13 and 14.—“ Mrs. Moonlight,” Little Theatre Society. September 19: Dennis Barry Recital September 25-28: “The Scrape o' the Pen,” St. Andrew’s Society. The late Dion Boucicault left an estate to the value of £7,322, all to his widow, Irene Vanbrugh. * * * Hector St. Clair is appearing with his own revue company at Fullers’ Opera House, Christchurch. * * « The Fullers’ Musical Comedy Company will probably disband "at the close of the Adelaide season, commencing on September 7. Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden and Charlton Morton—brought to Australia originally for “No, No, Nannette’—will then return to England. Annie Croft, here with “The Girl Friend,” is to appear with Leslie Henson in a musical comedy by Austin Melford, with music by Vivian Ellis. The piece will be tried out in the provinces before being taken to the London Hippodrome. * * s, Here is Mrs. Eugene O'Neill, wife of the famous American playwright. She was formerly Carlotta Monterey, a well-known American actress. They

were married recently in Paris. O'Neill was div orced last month by his first wife. Agues Boulton O'Neill, after a sep aration lasting some years. Eugene O’Neill is one of the most brilliant playwrights of today.

and among his most vital works are “Desire Under the Elms,” “Strange Interlude,” “Anna Christie,” and “Emperor Jones.”

New Players For “Scrape O’ the Pen’’ St. Andrew’s Society “The Scrape o’ the Pen,” to be done by the St. Andrew’s Society from September 25 to September 28, will introduce several new amateur players to Auckland. This delightful Scottish comedy is being produced by Mr. Kenneth Brampton, who is very pleased with the rehearsals. Rita McCully, who arrived In Auckland recently from

Edinburgh will share the lead with Lilian Lugton, who gave an excel lent performance last year in “Bunty Pulls the Strings.” James Swan, who plays Scottish parts with native instinct and a true knowledge of their value, will appear in the production.

Romantic Gowns Of Bygone Days “MRS. MOONLIGHT" LITTLE THEATRE REHEARSAL What does it feel like to wear grandmother’s clothes ? Ysolinde McVeagh was struggling with a hustle and numberless hooks and eyes when I asked her this question. “They are beautiful; I love wearing them—but ... I shouldn’t like to have to pay for the material,” she replied as she manipulated several pieces of cane which supported the lovely material of ail 1880 frock she was wearing.

It was at a rehearsal of “Mrs. Moonlight,” Ben Levy’s play, and the members of the Little Theatre Society tvere wearing their period frocks for the first time. “These clothes are attractive in the way that old books and pictures are attractive,” continued Miss McVeagh. “Look at this,” and she held up a frock which seemed to fall in cascades of pink material. To a mere man the fact that it contained 81 yards of frills did not mean anything, but to a woman It meant “a perfect joy.” Mona Wallbank had just discarded

a gleaming taffeta creation and a tiny little flowered and feathered hat for something which was the vogue 20 years later. “I feel rather prim and sedate in this,” she said. “This” had a wasp waist, rows of giant buttons to the ears almost, and sleeves which billowed out. like balloons.

It was the perfect example of fashion plates in 1900 or thereabouts. “Goodness knows how they got about in these things,” commented the second Mrs. Moonlight, as she tightened up the wasp waist. “It feels like being in a hen-coop.” But Miss Wallbank says that she caij more easily live the part when frocked in grandmother’s clothes. Lowrie McGregor trailed a gown of net and filmy lace after her and hid dark tresses under a wideband feathered hat. “I never felt so nice in my life,” she smiled, and lifted her train as though it belonged to the frocks of today. “To tell you the truth, I feel much younger in grandmother’s clothes at rehearsals than I do when I’m home thinking out the family dinner” was Peggy Hovey’s comment. Yes, even men are interested in clothes, though more as a tradition than anything else. Bernard Britain is proud of the fact that he is wearing a coat which was actually worn in ISBO, and this does not mean that it looks like something from the latest jumble sale. It is in perfect order and a remarkable example of how little men’s clothes have really altered. “I’ve always found that the clothes one wanted had been burned about a month previously,” remarked Mr. Britain. By the way, he organised a company of amateurs who played in Sheffield, England. Jack Gordon, who is rather a had lad of the 1900 period, wishes he had as many opportunities in real life as he has in “Mrs. Moonlight.” Rehearsals are a happy time for the people who will play “Mrs. Moonlight” on September 11, 12, 13 and 14. “We would rather rehearse than do anything else,” they all agreed. It seemed a good omen for the success of this interesting production.