STAGE ACTIVITIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 13

STAGE ACTIVITIES

LETTER FROM SYDNEY

COMMENT ON HAMILTONIAN A Letter from Sydney Roland Foster, teacher of singing ar Sydney Conservatorium, in the course of a letter this week, says: “Of course you will have heard ol Keith Priscott’s at the Eisteddfod, where he won the baritone championship and the Melba Memorial Trophy, which is competed for by the various winners in the male sections, and is therefore the champion of championfe prize. He has done good work since arriving and his voice is becoming more robust. He ought to do well at broadcasting a; voice comes over very well; and also should be just the type for cciiiu or light opera. “Jessie Shaw has not had many opportunities this year, as the war has brought everything to a standstill except patriotic concerts. I gave one which realised £75, and Mrs Foster and myself arranged a ‘cash and carry’ afternoon which brought in £25, besides assisting in many other functions. “I am going to Ballarat next month as chief adjudicator for the famous South Street Competitions, my third visit. Entries have kept up well considering the times. There are eight entries in the chief choral. 120 operatic competitors, over 50 in the lieder section, and 70 sacred solo. “We had satisfactory entries for the Sydney Eisteddfod, excepting the male sections, which showed a great falling-off, so many men having joined up; and the chief choral contest was abandoned, only one entry being received. “Sir Thomas Beecham’s conducting inspired our orchestra, which excelled itself and the result was some memorable concerts. “The Conservatorium opera school gave ‘Carmen’ most successfully, and is now preparing Nicolai’s ‘Merry Wives of Windsor.* ” Bath Tubs and the Theatre One wonders at the strange actions of theatre managements. As stated in these columns last week, gifts were distributed to members of the audience at the close of performances in a Sydney theatre, winding up with the handing over of a bathtub to the member who was singing the loudest. All the bathtubs in the world will not bring success to the theatre.’ What the public wants now, as it has wanted always, is good plays, presented by competent players. . Charles Norman Married Charles Norman, the well-known light comedian, who has just closed successful seasons in “Charley’s Aunt” and “It’s a Girl” in Sydney, was married last week to Miss Pat Henry, a Melbourne girl, who has been understudying m the company. Hawaiian Singers for Hamilton The Hawaiian Singers, who appeared very successfully in Auckland recently, will give a perform-

ance in Hamilton on Tuesday, October 8. “Room For Two” in Sydney “Room For Two,” an amusing comedy, succeeded “It’s a Girl” at the Minerva Theatre, Sydney, this week. Marjorie Gordon, an English actress, heads the cast. Russian Ballet for New York Members of the Russian Ballet passed through Auckland this ■week on their way to America, where they will begin a season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Antal Dorati, the conductor, will probably return to Australia before very long to conduct orchestral concerts. Tour of New Zealand Alan Jones, the singing star who is in “The Great Victor Herbert,” will make a concert tour of Australia and New Zealand next year, and will start in an Australian-made movie if he can replan his picture assignments and his United States tours. He has received an offer from Greater Union Theatres, Australia. New Zealand Actor Disconcerted Eric Bush, formerly of Auckland, playing male lead in “The Power and the Glory,” at Pagewood film studios, was put out of his stride with a surprising interruption, says a Sydney Pape?. The scene demanded that he should burst into the control tower of an aerodrome and say: “Tell them to ground those planes,” in the strong voice of authority. At that moment there was a falsetto wail. “Cut,” cried director Noel Monkman. “Who made that noise?” Everybody denied responsibility. A search was made and from the sound stage were produced a cat and her five new offspring. “Banana Ridge” in Melbourne

“Banana Ridge,” Ben Travers’ rathei* daring farce, was staged in Melbourne recently, with the following cast:— Eleanor Pound .. Dorothy Dunckley Mason Donald Davies Susan Long Yvonne Banvard Digby Pound Frank Bradley Willoughby Pink Leslie Victor Jones Ross Vernon Cora Pound Pat MacDonald Bauil Bingley Reginald Newson Jean Pink Letty Crayden Boy Ron Randell Staples Reginald Roberts Sir Ramsey Tripp ... Harold Meade English Film Actors Go to War Patric Knowles, Colin Tapley (New Zealand) and Robert Coote, who left Hollywood some time ago to join up in Canada, have passed their initial tests with the Canadian Air Force at Ottawa, and gone into advanced training in Toronto. Richard Greene has departed for England to join the forces. He sailed from New York without saying a word to friends and admirers. Twentieth Century-Fox gave him a bonus, and his job is being kept open for him.