STAGE PRODUCTIONS

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

STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Chinese Troupe Pleases Wellington Unique acrobatic skill, daringly and gracefully presented by the GreH North China Troupe, combined with an attractive variety programme by English artists, made entertainment which delighted the crowded audience at the Opera House on Saturday night, says a Wellington paper. For an hour and a-half the Chinese acrobats, singers and dancers kept everyone in rapt attention on their first visit to Wellington. In addition to the Chinese troupe, International Varieties, Limited, presented English artists. “ Roylston ” is a successful ventriloquist and humourist, who has a girl puppet as well as “Charlie McCarthy,” and makes them both sing. Keith Connolly and Elsa Hoskins specialise in much broad humour in artistic camouflage. Latona and 'Sparks are pleasing acrobatic dancers. TVie three Musical Camerons are piano-accordionists and yodellers of skill. Effle Fellows is a male impersonator, with anecdotes as well as song, and Alexander Cooper is an exceptionally powerful baritone. Famous Comedians for New Zealand George Robey, the famous English comedian, may lead a Frank Neil revue company to tour New Zealand within the next few months. George Formby, the popular comedian of the screen, and his wife say they will visit New Zealand early next year. Dramatist Leaves £2406 Well known as a dramatist, Mr B*rnard Merivale, 0.8. E., of the Savage Club, London, and Brook Green, left £4293, with net personalty £2406, it was announced the other day. Mr Merivale, who died in May, aged 56, was author of “The Night Hawk,” and collaborated with Arnold ljidley in “The Wrecker,” “The Flying Fool ” and “Out Coes She.” A Bernard Shaw Story The tales about George Bernard Shaw seem endless. After the first performance which Wendy Hiller made in “Pygmalion” at the Malvern festival in Worcestershire, England, G.B.S. went backstage and said to Wendy:—

“I was very much interested in your performance. And I’ll tell you why. You did not do one thing right, but you were so damn clever in the way you got out of your difficulties.”