THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA

SEVERAL BIG PRODUCTIONS~OPERA AND BALLET

The phenomenal success of the Ice show .“Switzerland,” at His Majesty’s Theatre, has brought back fresh life Into the J. C. Williamson theatres, says a Melbourne paper. Apart from the Covent Garden Russian Ballet’s arrival for a fifteen-weeks’ Australian season In October, grand opera In May or June of next year looks almost a certainty, and new plays are scheduled for Melbourne theatres early next month. Mr John Tait, an executive of the J. C. Williamson organisation, said that “Switzerland” would go to Sydney, being succeeded by the musical show, “L'nder Your Hat,” at His Majesty’s. Meanwhile, Marie Burke’s return in “Wildflower” at Sydney, had marked by heavy bookings throughout the season. New Dramas On Saturday. September 2. a thriller, by Alec Coppel, “I Killed the Count,” in which Alhole Stewart, Eric Maturin, Anthony Holies and Barbara Francis starred in London last year, was presented in Melbourne. The cast included Harvey Adams, Katie Towers, Reginald Newson, Doris Packer, Alec Pratt, Jane Connolly, Leslie Victor, John Darcy, Hori Thomas and Guy Hastings. lan Keith is awaiting the engagement of a leading woman for “Reunion in Vienna” or “Elizabeth, the Queen,” in which the brilliant actor will play Essex. With the prospect of several new works in the Russian Ballet’s repertoire, including Fokine’s “Paganini,” the season of ballet looks exciting. “Although I cannot say it officially at the moment.” said Mr Tait, “you can take it as fairly correct that we will, in all probability, see Irina Baronova with the company again.” Opera and Menuhin Yehudi Menuhin is coming to Australia next May, and his visit will probably coincide with a season of grand opera. Mr Tait stated that Antal Dorati was in Budapest discussing possible artists now singing there and around Vienna. Within the next three weeks the conductor would cross to London, and Mr Nevin Tait would go with him to the Continent to finalise engagements. Interest, meanwhile, was stimulated by the proposal of Mr John Brownlee that the Glyndebourne Opera Company

should come here following their scaj son which closes in May, 1940. The Question at issue was whether the Glyndebourne organisation would undertake the trip. As to what operas will he presented this would depend upon the principals secured—their ability to sing Wagnerian, Italian or Russian works. The voices will determine the repertoire. Puccini’s “Turandot,” Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and Massenet's “Manon,” may he among the unfamiliar operas for production. “Turandot” was presented in the 1928 opera season in Australia. Australian theatres should certainly resume an unaccustomed activity within the next nine or ten months. NEWS OF FAVOURITES A LETTER FRIOM AUSTRALIA Max Reddy, the likeable light comedian, who was in Hamilton some months ago with the Stanley McKay Gaieties, sends some news from Queensland, this week, regarding his wife (Stella Lamond, the clever “personality girl”) and himself:— “We have enjoyed a very nice three weeks’ stay in Brisbane. We finish 1 here on Saturday night and leave for Sydney on Monday. We’ll have a week there, then to Alburv for a week, then to Melbourne for four 'days, and then to Launceston and Hobart. We may play Adelaide after Tassy. Business here has been excellent, and Mr Mc--1 Kay has “cleaned up.” . . . We saw “Wildflower” when it opened here in Exhibition Week, prior to opening in Sydney, and thought it a very good show. Marie Burke is looking a little old, still she is really a good performer. George Dobbs was outstanding. Don Nicol’s part didn’t give him very much opportunity, neither did Marie La Varre have much scope. The juvenile, Melton Moore, has a nice singing voice. “We are looking forward to getting to Sydney to see George Robey. I hear he is an enormous success. Frank Neil has Nick Lucas in Melbourne, and is cleaning up with him. The Mills Brothers open in the next show of which George Wallace is comic. We saw Wallace’s picture, “Gone to the Dogs,” and think it his best effort to date.”