THE STAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE STAGE

“Charley’s Aunt” for Hamilton “Charley’s Aunt,” which drew crowded houses in Auckland, will be staged at the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, on Monday night. The large cast of players is headed by the well-known J. C. Williamson light comedian Don Nicol, who toured New Zealand recently in the “Balalaika” and “White Horse Inn” companies. Opposite him is Shirley Ann Richards, the Australian film actress who appeared in the Cinesound productions “Dad and Dave Come to Town” and “Lovers and Luggers.” Other players include Leal Douglas, Althea Siddons and Mary Duncan, who appeared in the play “The Women,” which was presented iiv New Zealand a few months ago; Maisie Wallace, Phil Smith, Charles Albert, John Fleeting, Lane Patterson, Norman Barrington. The American comedy “Up in Mabel’s Room” will be staged on Tuesday. “Dinner at Eight” in Sydney Certain episodes stand out in the Minerva Theatre’s production of “Dinner at Eight.” the comedy-drama by Edna Ferber and George F. Kaufman, says a Sydney paper. lan Keith, the American actor, transcends his excellent debut in “I Killed the Count.” His Renault, the discarded movie idol, is a boldlydrawn characterisation, full of sudden contrasts of vocal tone, mood, and pace. Outstanding is Keith’s scene with Jane Conolly, who tenderly represents a loving girl. The final scene, in which he reflects the flamboyance of an actor’s ego, even at the moment of suicide, is powerful. Gusto marks a dressing-room quarrel between the unoouth business man, Packard (Alec Einer Pratt) and his fluffy, termagent wife, Kitty (Elsa Chauvel). It is a question whether Mrs Chauvel, in her mauve underwear, or Pratt, who 1 gives a touch of cruelty to the j hustler, scores best. Grim comedy takes place in a j kitchen when the butler (Eric Rei- | man) and the chauffeur (Lloyd | Lamble), snatch up knife and fork Ito fight over the maid (Barbara • Smith), to the discomfiture of the cook (Kate Towers). Harvey Adams and Doris Packer play host and hostess, Minnie Love, ihe retired actress, and Clifford Cowley, Renault’s agent. Great Ice Show for New Zealand To investigate the problems in presenting the first ice-skating production to be given in New Zealand theatres ‘The Switzerland Ice Show,” Mr P. Reid, chief mechanical technician for J. O. Williamson, Limited, has arrived from Australia. Accompanied by Mr J. F. Farrell, Auckland representative of the company, he will inspect the theatres in the four chief centres and in a few of the provincial towns. The show will commence its New Zealand season at Auckland on December 23. In Auckland it has been found that the whole of the floor in the stalls will have to be raised 18 inches, and two 50-horse-power engines will have to be installed to convert the electricity supply to alternating current. For the ice rink, which will be 40 feet long by 30 feet wide, it will be i necessary to instal two complete rej frigerating plants and about 6000 j feet of copper tubing. In each centre | two tons of salt and two and a-half tons of crushed ice will be required, ! and once the rink has been built up j the refrigerating machinery will j have to be kept constantly in operation. | The show is not coming to Hamili ton, as the stage, on being inspected by Williamson representatives, was I found to be unsuitable, i ! Fan Dancer Bankrupt The fan and bubble dancer, Sally Rand, is bankrupt. Her assets amount to £2689, and her debts to £18,210, ranging from medical services to her dog, to furnishings for the Golden Gate Exposition show, “Gay Paree,” which her creditors recently closed. Franchot Tone to Star Ernest Hemingway’s play of the Spanish war, “The Fifth Column,” long discussed for Broadway presentation, is being planned for production by Lewis E. Gensler, with Franchot lone returning to the stage for the leading part.