STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20266, 7 August 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

STAGE PRODUCTIONS.

SOME COMING ATTRACTIONS. NEW REVUES FOR HAMILTON. Notloe to Correspondents. “Anonymous.”—Many thanks for ihe Interesting souvenir of the war days. The names, when I publish them next week, will revive many happy memories among the older playgoers. Frank Nell Company Delights Auckland. “It would -bo hard to remember when Auckland has had the opportunity of seeing more versatile, capable and entertaining artists than those of Frank Neil’s Revue Company.” says an Auckland paper. “ The first week's revue is entitled ‘Three, Cheers for Red, White and Blue,’ and it contains an exceptionally wide variety of particularly clever and bright items. “ There are Australian and American artists in the company and there are probably more outstanding acts than there have been in any company to tour New Zealand in recent years. “ The highlights of the show are provided by such persons as Con Colleano, whose backward and forward somersaults on the tightrope wire kept last night’s large audience in a state of thrilled attention; and Irene Vermillion, a New York acrobatic dancer who. like Colleano, has probably had no equal in her line in New Zealand before.” The company will come to Hamilton after the’ Auckland season. Ceoll Kelleway for Hollywood. Cecil Kelleway, in sending a farewell message from Wellington before leaving for Australia with the Gladys Moncrieff company, mentions that he will sail from Sydney on September 2. after a fortnight’s season in Brisbane, to take up his Hollywood contract. Marcus Show Girl Marries Wrestler. “Boots” Brownell, a Marcus Show girl, was married secretly in Sydney to Dr. Gordon MacKenzie, visiting American wrestler. Gregory Stroud Praises Australian Girls Gregory Stroud, the Gilbert and Sullivan baritone, who is returning to England on the Orama, is convinced that Australia lias the most beautiful chorus girls in the world. Sydney’s surf girls, he says, are “incomparable." Australian chorus girls are not only lovely to look upon, but are keen and expert at their work. But Mr. Stroud has a grievance against Australia. Because of the lack of legitimate theatres, many clever young Australians are unable to find an outlet for their talents in their own country. “It is tragic that a big city like Sydney should have only one theatre featuring stage productions,” he said. Grade Fields Sings from a Ladder. As Grade Fields laid the foundationstone of the new Prince of Wales Theatre, London, vast crowds that had gathered to see her raised a terrific cheer. Called upon to give them a song, Grade slowly mounted a ladder until she could climb no higher. From this precarious position she sang “Sally in Our Alley” in a voice which rose above the traffic’s roar. As she climbed down, the workmen on the building gave her three cheers. Naw Zealander on London Plays. Dr. W. B. Sutoh, the New Zealand economist, in a broadcast address, in London, said: “The West End theatres of London run plays which concern the lives of! people with incomes over £2OOO a year, j Apart from historical or mystery plays, you get little else. There were only two out of about 50 plays during the year which could be said to deal with problems of the day, or which were serious contributions to drama. “ But in ballet, London has a great deal to offer. T should mention here, however, that ihe best opera, ballet or theatre 1 attended was not in London, Paris, Berlin or New York, but in Moscow.” Banned Play Btaged in Sydney. An attempt will be made to-night to present the banned play, “Desire Brings Welcome,” to an invited audience at the Chelsea Book Club, says a Sydney paper. Mr Kenn Brodziak, the author, said that rehearsals had taken place quietly in the city. He did not think that th®re could be interference with the police. Inquiries were made by the police, who had been warned in advance of the proposed production. Early in February, a special production of tlie play was attended by four police inspectors. They made independent reports, and the play was subsequently banned. “Slight alterations have been made to the -script since then," Mr Brod-« ziak saM. The performance is under the patronage of Sir Benjamin and Lady Fuller. Albert Russell Remembers. In 1932, Albert Bussell (formerly popular in community singing in New Zealand), of 2 GB, was in New York, and was able to buy 115 English sovereigns, which had just come from India, at 19s 4d each, says Sydney Sun. Next day he sailed for England, and later in London sold all except two at 27s 6d each. The reason he didn't sell all\of them was that he was carrying cne round in his pocket on the day he arrived in London, Christmas Eve, and lost it In Piccadilly Tube Station, about 4 p.m. Two hours later he met a fellow New Zealander whom he had last -seen In Auckland, and. after mutual greetings. the New Zealander said it was Ms lucky day as he had picked up a sovereign In Piccadilly Station a couple of hours ago. All that Albert Bussell could say was lo ask him what lie was going to do with it. He bought a couple of tickets in the Irish Sweep. So Albert put another sovereign In his pocket, as a sort of sheet anchor, and sold the rest. £2466 for Nijinsky Foundation. Ml till- (laneins world of London was at Ilia Malnstv's Theatre fnr II"' matinon orKiinispil by 1.-!.' •'""<'l '>" rr !>.»" 1.. in Diana Cooper In aid o( II"' N'Jmsk\ \monu Ihe performer. to lic.l.ert Helpmann, II"- Nnslra''""i,ne. Karsavina annonnrrrt that , i!ii( had l.ren raised by the inatiUt«.