ALL ENGLISH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 30

ALL ENGLISH

Plays and Players for White-Edgley Shows PLANS FOR 1930 All imported principals for the new White and Edgley productions will ”.ome from England. An interesting feature of the theatrical activities of 1930 will be the productions of White and Edgley, who have made a working arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd:, “Love Lies,” their first musical comedy venture, will he given its Australian premiere in Adelaide on February 15. In outlining White and Edgley’s plans for 1930, Mr. Richard White said that they would concentrate for the next few months on light musical comedy, but before the middle of the year would resume the production of intimate comedy and comedy-drama, with a new company. It was also proposed to stage “Remote Control,” a thriller, which was laid in a broadcasting studio, and called for a big cast. Success is certain with “Love Lies,” according to Mr. White. He adds that it will be followed by “Spring is Here,” “Fitter Patter,” and a new musical comedy which will be staged at the London Gaiety in February. This piece has not yet been given a name. It is really a sequel to “Love Lies.” “Fortunately there will be no difficulty in obtaining comedians,” remarked Mr. White. “While on their

recent visit abroad, my brothers met several English comedians who would be very popular In Australia, and would like to come here.” Convinced that English musical comedy artists are more acceptable than American, White and Edgely intend that alt imported principals shall come from Great Britain. Four young English artists for “Love Lies” will arrive this month. They are Rita McLean, leading lady; Betty Eley, ingenue; Peter Lane, juvenile; and Bobby Gordon, second comedian. Miss McLean was a dancer, and had only small parts in London until one night she was called upon to take the place of Cicelj’ Courtneidge, who was ill, in “Oh, Kay!” Miss McLean made a hit, and the management cast her for the leading part in the show on tour. She also took Miss Courtneidge’s part in “Clowns in Clover” or. tour.

Betty Eley has been principal girl iu several pantomimes in important English cities, and has played leading roles in musical comedy. Seymour Hicks was among the first to see in this girl a likely artist. Bert Coote gave her the part of the Princess in “The Windmill Man” at the Victoria Palace, London. Then Miss Eley was engaged by Robert Hale and took up Binnie Hale’s part in “Puppets.” She was leading lady in the Wylie and Tate production of “Flyaway Peter!” which had its premiere at the Newcastle Empire, while as the charming Betty of “Betty in Mayfair” (the part played originally by Evelyn Laye), she appeared in London and the provinces. Last year Miss Eley played with George Grossmith and Mamie Watson In “Lady Mary.”

The juvenile lead, Peter Lane, was playing with Miss McLean in “Oh, Kay!” in Birmingham when he was engaged for Australia. The leading male role in “The Girl Friend” was another of his recent undertakings. Bobby Gordon has been associated with Jack Buchanan for the past three years, and has acted in -his place. The chief comedian of “Love Lies” will be the young Australian Clem Dawe. Dan Agar, who recently arrived from England, will also play a comedy role. Marie Eaton is to appear as a South American vamp, and several other Australians will have minor parts.