STAGE ACTIVITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

STAGE ACTIVITIES

Hamiltonian in New Sydney Play “It’s a Girl,” another merry comedy, will be staged at the Minerva Theatre, Sydney, when the popular “Charley’s Aunt’ has finished its run. At present “Charley’s Aunt” is drawing the largest audiences the theatre has had since it was opened a year or two ago. Charles Norman, who is proving very popular as the Aunt, will again have the lead in “It’s a Girl,” and the cast will include Shirley Ann Richards, Betty Welch (the Hamilton girl who is Ella Delahay in “Charley’s Aunt”), Bruce Carroll, and Lily Moore, a comedienne who is a sister of Carrie Moore and Mrs E. Mcßeath, the well-known producer. Marie Ney, famous New Zealand actress, believes in encouraging young talent, and, in response to the request of several young actresses in “Charley’s Aunt” that she criticise their work, she went to the Minerva Theatre the other night. Unknown to anyone, she lined up in the queue and bought her ticket of admission. She said that she has a particular interest in “Charley’s Aunt,” because she herself as an amateur played the part of Kitty some years ago in New Zealand. “When I was first asked to come to Australia I was told that the theatre was dead. I never really believed this, and now, after seeing your young players last night, I am more sure than ever that there is a great future for the stage in Australia,” she said. Stage Attractions in Australia The principal stage attractions in Australia are:

Sydney.—The Russian Ballet, “The Ice Show of 1940,” nnd “Charley’s Aunt.” Melbourne. —The Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company and “The Housemaster.” News of La Meri La Meri, whose dancing is a vivid memory in New Zealand, has joined Ruth St. John, the well-known American dancer, in founding a school of Hindu dancing and allied arts in New York. Future Predicted for N.Z. Dancer When the Russian Ballet was in New Zealand Rowena Jackson, of Auckland, was given an audition by David Lichine, who was so impressed that he offered to take the girl with him to Australia for instruction in the ballet. Financial arrangements were made to enable the girl to accompany the ballet and in the long tour through Australia she has had wonderful opportunities. About a month ago she returned to the Dominion. “In my opinion, Rowena Jackson will become a very great dancer and I have high hopes that some day she will be a member of the ballet,” said Mr Lichine, when passing through Auckland this week.. “Much as we would like to do so, we will be unable to take Rowena with us to America. But I have set her a course of instruction and I hope that she will continue with her work in New Zealand. She is the most promising girl I have found anywhere in Australia or New Zealand and it is my intention to take her into the ballet as soon as she is old enough. She should have a brilliant future as a dancer.”

Concerts on Way to Eisteddfod Eight children, from three to 15 years of age, who travelled by car from Brisbane to take part in the Seventh City of Sydney Eisteddfod, gave concert parties on the way down and raised £IOO for patriotic funds.