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Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7079, 11 February 1933, Page 4

Dame Sybil Thorndike is definitely returning to Palmerston North, and will do “Madamo Plays Nap,” a funny Imitation of “Sans Gene,” with machinemade situations. Tho < same Napoleon as poverty-stricken Parisian and as Emperor, tho same kind-hearted, freetongucd woman who befriends him, and at curtain-fall confounds him by tho reminder of it. The details are different, and reflect the feminine authorship: business with feminine underwear, plot to ruin Madamo’s “reputation,” and open attempts by other women to steal her husband. Lewis Casson plays Napoleon.

The older theatre-goers in Palmerston North may remember that delightful light opera, “Tho Duchess of Dantzig,” wt.h the incomparable Florence Young as Madamo Sans k Gcne. Of course, tlioro are a number of versions of tho laundry maid who went to an Emperor’s court and became a Duchess. February 25 is tho date for “Madamo Plays Nap.”

The Palmerston North Amateur and Dramatic Society will revivo Pertwce’s "Interference” at the Opera Houso during tho Rotary Conference. February 28 and March i' arc tho dates. Mr Fred Cousins, tho producer, will have practically tho same cast —just one or two minor parts will have different players. "Interference” was an outstanding success last year, duo mainly to the skill of the producer and tho acting of sonic of tho performers.

The amateurs aro reading Avery Hopwood’s comody , “Tho Best People”— we had it done cleverly in Palmerston North a few years ago —and “To What Bed Hell,” by Percy Robinson. Tho latter play is unusiial, and would require

much more--attention than a few skimpy rehearsals to make it. really convincing. Tho theme is somewhat similar to Van Druten’s “Somebody Know's"-T-the street walker found murdered in her bed in a cheap London flat; the hunt for the murderer.the witness room at the Old Bailey... .There are certainly ’good opportunities for intelligent character work, and the Society has quite a number of competent performers. •

“The Merry Widow” is tho best of all musical comedies, but one less operatic musically and one that would make a similar appeal to the “Widow,” next November, is “Tho Lilac Domino.” It las exquisite melodics and a modern setting, and was a wonderful success in Australia and New Zealand in 1921—22, with Reno Maxwell, tho well-known! Australian soprano, Claudo Fleming, charming little Edith Dray soft, a Londoner, Gcorgo Gee, Mario Eaton- and William Valentine. M. Charles Gulliver's music had nearly everyone in Sydney and Melbourne dancing in those days .—“Where Love is .Waiting,” “Carnival Night,” “Still We Smile,” and "AiJ Line up in a Queue” are just a few of tho songs. "The Lilac Domino” is one of the few musical comedies that survives in London. And a revival of a play in tho Metropolis is a vory sure sign of its merit.

lan Hay’s attractivo comedy, "Tilly of Bloomsbury” will bo done at All Saint’s Parish Hall some time in April. Mrs Linda Bennett is tho producer. “Tilly” was a great success in' these parts in 1920, with Frank Freeman, an English actor who later played in “The Maid of tho Mountains,” in Australia, Dorothy Seacombe, George Blunt and others. It is a very charming comedy, and the memory of wbtful Tilly and many amusing situations lingers. <s> <•> <S> <£> r Dulcic Cherry and Mary MacGregor, two young actresses who have played in town, are off to London for experience, and a star part if it comes their wav.

<s> <s> <?> ❖ ~ , ' "The Breadwinner,” Somerset Maugnam’s, will be staged at tho King’s, Melbourne, on Saturday evening, with Nicholas Hannen. Athene Sc.yler and other English people. Miss Scylcr has played so many paris that a whole page of “Who’s who in tho Theatre” is devoted to her career.

<S> <S> <3> t . . Maisic Ramsay, at present 'starring in J. C. W’s Gilbert and Sullivan season in Sydney, started her working life with the idea of becoming a school teacher. She was, in'fact, a junior teacher in a secondary Catholic school at South Aarra, and only took up music for love. Her first public appearance was at a concert in- tho Melbourne Town Hall; later she met Melba, who immediately fcookan interest in her. Casilda in * Tno Gondoliers” was Miss Kamsay’s role in Palmerston No-rth. .

<s> <s■ <S> ■ <S> The Wellington Repertory players are to do “See Naples and Die,” a comedy faTee by Elmer Kice, who wrote the much dicussed “Green Pastures.” Mr Rice has written another comedy "The Lei), Bank,” which Londoners saw recently. He seems to got a considerable a.Tiumf>t materia] gat fit

globe trotting fellow Americans. In "The Left Bank” wo aro confronted not only by tlicir permutations and combinations in the matter of love, but also with such serious problems as tbeir attitude toward tbeir native country and their theories of education.

<t> <s> <s> <s> The Repertory Players (if London Society was established in 1921, and has-presented eight productions every year. Of these plays no less than twenty-four were subsequently purchased for West End production, including “If Four Walls Told.” “Havoc,” “Tunnel Trench,” “Distinguished Villa,” “Alanv Waters,” "Rope,” "People Like Us,” “Petticoat Influence,” "A Murder Has Been Arranged,” and “Below tho Surface.’’ The “Reps” have also been the means of discovering and establishing a large number of artists, authors, and producers.