Variety (March 1957)

68 LEGIXlllfATfi P^nMETY Wednesday, March 27, 1957 A I'evival of “Hamlet,” with Judith Anderson in the title role, is;- announced to tour next season under the management of Leonard Sillman and John Roberts. Actor Peter Cookson and his ac¬ tress-wife, Beatrice Straight, have purchased “The Land of Oz,” a 2.600-acre estate -in New Mai'lboro, Mass., for $150,000, Betty Lee Hunt will pinchhit for Bob Ullman as pressagent fof the John Drew Theatre, East Hampton, L.I., next summer. She is also handling “Take a Qiant Step” and the upcoming production of “Sal¬ vage,” both off-Broadway. The former entry is scheduled to end its longruri at the Jan Hus Theatre next June. Allan C. DaliCll is pinchhitting for Louis Sheaffcr as pressagent^ with Arthur Cantor on “Long Day’s Journey Inife Night” and “Iceman Cometh,” Sheaifer is on a two- week vacation revising proofs on a. Eugene O’Neill book he's written.^ Victor Samrock, general man¬ ager for the Playwrights Co., re¬ turned to New York last Saturday (231 from a 10-day Coast business trip. in connection with the San Francisco and Los Angeles book¬ ings of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof;” Mitchell Lear, who’s, currently on a two-week vacation from “Threepenny Opera,” was out of the show for three performances last week to appear in two West Point films shot at the academy. Frank Perry subbed. f Bernie Gersten, production stage manager for the N.Y. City Center revival of “Brigadoon,” will repeat' that assignment on the Center’s production of “South Pacific.” The Wayside " Producing Co., formed by a'group of tv writei's, will present John Duff Stradley’s “Wayside” at the Barbizon Plaza Theatre, N.Y., beginning April 18. Bruce W. Marcus will direct, with Arthur Arronson designing the sets and lighting, Zekc Berlin has been appointed managing director of the Chase Barn Playhouse, Whitefield, N.H., which begins its 19th season July 9. The house, operated by Mi*s. Lucy Chase Sparks, will remain open through Aug, 31. The legit and film rights to N.Y. Appellate Court Judge Bernard Botein’s latest book, “The Proser cutor,” have been acquired by. Mil- ton Sperling, head, of United States Pictures, an independent company releasing through Warner Bros. The author will collaborate on the dramatization with an undesig¬ nated playwright. “Rush Hour,” a new revue, is planned for production by Jack Pedersen late in April at the Chanin Auditorium, N. Y. Jack Harrold will direct, while music- lyricrsketch contributors include Dave Panich, Martin Charnin, Rob¬ ert Kessler and Jay Umberto Torchia. “Ci’oss the River,” by l^ilton Robertson, editorial manager of NBC-TV’s “Home” show, is sched¬ uled for off-Brqadway production late in April by the newly-formed Maximilian Productions. Another Robertson play, “Rainbow at Home,” was tried out at the Margo Jones Theatre, Dallas. ' Bob Fosse will double as chore¬ ographer and one of the male leads in the Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin production of ‘tStay Away, Joe,” scheduled to go into rehearsal next Sept. 1. “Storm Girl” and “Night’s Noth¬ ings Again,” two musical books by Dorothy Herbert, are slated for Broadway production '’by Robert Goodhue, a former member of the Shubert production staff and man¬ ager of the late C. Aubrey Smith. “Storm” is based on Joseph C. Lin¬ coln’s novel, while “Night’s,” the title of a Carl Sandburg poem, is derived from several of his poems. • “The Irrational Knot,” an ob¬ scure George Bernard Shaw novel, is the source of a similarly-titled script-by Edward Chodorov, which Anna Deere Wiman has under option, A reading of “Candida” Will be presented tomorrow afternoon (Thurs.) as the fifth and filial- offer¬ ing in the Theatre de Lys, N. Y., matinee series sponsored by the Greater N. Y. Chapter of the American National Theatre & Academy, Appearing in the pro¬ duction will be Peggy Wood, Jud- son Laire, BUI Butler, Bramwell Fletcher, Stratton Walling and Ruth Hammond. ^A London j^oduction of Don Appell’s “Lullaby,” presented on Broadway a couple of seasons ago, is planned by actress $ylviar''Myles and the author. Two for the Seesaw,” a two- character play by William Gibson, playwright, novelist and tv script- er, is' scheduled for Broadway pro¬ duction next season by video pro¬ ducer Fred Cpe. Herman Middleton will stage the second annual edition of “Chucky Jack,” Kermit Hunter’s historical pageant to open June 21 at Gatlinburg, Tenn., as a presenta¬ tion of the Great Smoky Mountains Historical Assn. He’s head of the drama department at Woman’s College, Greensboro, N.C., and for the last four' summers has been stage manager and assistant direc¬ tor of “Unto These Hills,” Hun¬ ter’s historical pageant at Chero¬ kee, N.C. Singer-actress Barbara Aschley has been doing a series of local telethon appearances, around the country to raise money for the cerebral palsy fund.- Recent' dates have included Rome, Ga., and Mo¬ bile, and she’s due for stints April 12 ini Wichita and -April 27-28 in Ottumwa, la. PROFESSIONAL CARDS HONORED Theatrical and TV Make Up .• All Leading Cosmetic Lines • Imported A Domestic Perfumes • Distinctive Fountain Service. FREE DELIVERY OPEN SUNDAYS "The Drug Store of the Stars" HADLEY REXALL DRUGS 11«1 Sth Ave./ Cor. H St., NEW YORK Telephone PLaxa 7-0023 Standord Logit Thootrical Forms oRd Reports All forms $1.00 per 100 Send for Yonr FREE Sample Set TODAY American Legitimate Theatre Service SOOO Sunset Rlvd. Hollywood 2K/ California, London Bits / London, March 26. In a bid to give new writers a break, Jimmy Wax has launched a series of shows at the New Lindsey Theatre Club. London, offering ex¬ cerpts from four plays by writers whose work had h.ever previously been performed on- the English stage. Belita, Bill Kerr, Betty Paul, Ivor Emmanuel and Donald Stew- ;art top the cast of “Damn Yan¬ kees,” which preems March 28 at the Coliseum, following recent closing of “Pajama Game” at the same theatre. Diane Cilento was ordered to the hospital last week during the try¬ out of “Zulelka” at Oxford and it's uncertain whether she’ll be available by April 4, when the show comes to the Saville. Donald Al- bery is presenting thijs Cambridge U. musical adaptation "ot Max Beer- bohm’s novel about Oxford, Paul Scofield, Megs Jenkins and Harold Scott head the cast of “A Dead Secret” by Rodney AcMand, opening April 22 for a tryout run in Liverpool. The piece is being staged byJFrith Banbury for H. M. Tennent Ltd. H. M. Tennent has also acquired EHeston Trevor’s first play, “The Labyrinth.” It’s thriller. Tyrone Guthrie, who is staging the Broadway version of Norman Ginsbury’s “The First Gentleman,” is interested in performing a simi¬ lar function for the same apthor’s latest play, “The Queen’s Con¬ fidante,” Eric Maschwitz and Bernard Grun, who have collaborated on adaptations of “White Horse Inn,” '’Three Waltzes,” “Pink Cham¬ pagne,” etc. are now working to¬ gether on “Passion Flower,” based on Bizet’s • “Carmen.” ■ It’s aimed specifically for the amateur mar¬ ket, and Keith-ProwSe is publish¬ ing the score. Priestley’s ‘Glass Cage’ Due April 26 in London . Toronto, March 26. “The Glass Cage,” currently in the fourth week of ^its world-pre¬ miere engagement at the Crest Theatre here, will be presented in London, opening April 26 at the Piccadilly Theatre. The entire present cast, headed by Donald and Murray Davis ahd their sister, Barbara Chilcott, wilT remain with it,. the first time an all-Canadian company has appeared in London. The J. B. Priestley drama will be presented in England by H. M. Tennent, Ltd. The same firm will do the show on Broadway later, probably in partnership with an established New York mai>agement. Current at the London Piccadilly, but due to close shortly, is Peter Ustinov’s “Romanoff and JUliet,” which is also due for Broadway presentation next fall. The West End presentation of “Glass Cage” has been capitalized at $30,000, with most of the money raised In Canada. Are the Actors Really Awake at That Hour? When it comes to early curtains the champ is the Theatre ii^ ildu- cation, Inc. The non-profit organ¬ ization, . formed last year by Lyn Ely and' sponsored by the Ameri¬ can National Theatre & Academy, presents Theatre Assembly Pro¬ grams in secondary schoolg of Connecticut. The offerings, com-, prising scenes from Shakespeare and performed b^ pi'os, are put oh as early as 8:40 a.m, ■ This year, the; operation has lined up 16 schools,- nine more than were' played in 1956. .Con¬ necticut is being used as the pilot state in the' development of the program-, which will' be extended if sufficient jfinancial support on a sustained basis is obtained. Since the start of the project, contribu¬ tions covering at least'three years’ operation have been made. The schools are charged a nom¬ inal fee for the performances, witji the students getting in free.- The Fact Finding Committee of the various entertainment unions is co¬ operating in the venture. Shuffle ‘Fanny’ Continued from pagre *65 over the situation. The Montreal and Tordhto managements are par¬ ticularly' miffed, since it’s figured “Matchmaker” could have played' those dates had it extended .three- weeks in Chicago. The reasoning there is that “Fanny,” due .April- 8 at the National (the original date for “Matchmaker”), has been book¬ ed for four weeks instead of the three initially planned for the mu-‘ sical, April 18-May 4. If the' tuner adhered. to the three-week Washington stand as originally planned, going in April 15 instead of the prior week, that time plus a lopoff of one stanza, from the Chicago^ extension could have provided the' fortnight neces¬ sary to play Her Majesty's and the Royal Alexandra. In the case of the former spot, the scheduled “Matchmaker” opehiiig night had been sold out to a charity organ¬ ization. The new “Matchmaker” schedule, following its Chicago windup, is April 29-May 4, Baltimore; May 6- 25, Washington, and May 27-June 1, Cleveland. “Fanny,”, originally slated to play Cleveland April 8- 13, has extended its stay there to two weeks beginning May 13. The musical’s one-week Baltimore stand stand will begin May 6 instead of April 15. ^ Hew Legif Hub — Continued from page’65 Hand,” a tryout folderocL and “Small War on Murray Hill,” an¬ other rapid Broadway closer. The touring “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’"’ is a Playwrights entry, how¬ ever, as was “Bad Seed,” which played the hinterland at the start of this semester-^ Mary K. Frank, Who produced the short-lived “Too Late the Phalarope” on 'Broadway this season, is another of the build¬ ing’s tenants, while Roger L. Stevens, a member of the Play¬ wrights and the Producers The¬ atre, dispatches his numerous in¬ dependent production ventures through those offices. They have included “Clearing in the Woods,” with Oliver Smith, and “Sin of Pat Muldpon,” with Richard Adler , Lyn Austin & Thomas Noyes, who recently extended their pro¬ duction activity overseas with “Cr^tal Heart,” also headquarter at the Broadway location. “Heart,” incidentally, folded shortly after its preem in London. Various American National Theatre & Academy projects emanate from the building, while director Elia Kazan, pressagents Barry Hyams and William Fields and the City Playhouses also have office space there. Until the emergence of 1545 Broadway as the production hub, the focus of managerial activities in New York was the Sard! Build¬ ing, at 234 West 44th St., with sev¬ eral offices in the' adjacent St. James Theatre Building, at 246 West 44th St. Many years ago legit producer operations centered in West 42d St., before such the¬ atres as the. New Amsterdam, Sel- wyn, Harris, Wallachs, Lyric and Republic, etc., switched to films. [. InsideSlulf-Legit Commenting on a statement by singer-actor John Phillip, as quoted in a recent issue, to the effect that the Beatrice Lillie skit, “Milicdy Dines Alone,” in the current “Ziegfeld Follies,” is new, Variety’s Washington correspondent, Herman Lowe, writes, “I saw the same ma¬ terial done last December at the Cr,azy Horse, Saloon, a stripper joint In Paris. Instead of a gal,'"the din^r was playqd by a man, a country ijumpkin in the big oity. It was virtually identical with thq Lillie skit. ^ It even had the wilted stalk of asparagus, though not the lobster, ahd had the waiter carrying away every course before eaten, etc.- The tail, skinny Parisian comedian who played the diner did a better job than Miss Lillie, un my ^pinion. Also, I’ve seen similar,, stuff in burlesque in the old days in this country.” ' •The. Prince of Wales, London, closing the end of this week, will remain dark until the new Folies ,Bergere revue opens April 20.' Dur¬ ing that poKiod structural alterations udll be carried out to meet the needs of the new .production. The ne.w\evue, presented by Val Parnell and Bernard Delfont, Will be titled “Plaisirs JDe Paris? and. will be staged by Robert Nesbitt. Frankie Howard will be the star and among the femme talent already lined up will be stripper Lee Sharon, Sabrina, Maggy Sarragne and Noell Adaln from France, and Miss Glamor from Cuba. The specialty acts to be featured in the production will include the Three Mon- archs and Les MathUrins. Shows Abroad - Royal Scotcli ' - Glasgow, March 8. Cltixeng Theatre presentation of farce In three acts (five scenes), ; Robins MiUar. StHged by Richard Mathews; sets, NevU Dickin..At Citizens’ Theatre, Glas¬ gow, March 4, ■'57; SI top. Sir Jamet^Craigleson.Jack Hedley 1 MaePater .. RusseU Hunter Mrs. MaePater . Irene Sunters Mr. Poggett...Edward Waddy Lucy Semple i...'. Annette Crosbie Richard Clayfield.... .“Peter Stuart-Smith Henry Seaton .. Fulton Mackay Margaret Seaton .' Joan Scott Jessie 'Semple : .Marjorie Thomson Dougal ........ Jdhn Grieve Maj. Turnbull . James Nairn . Scotch whisky is the basis of the title of this amusing light farce aimed at local consumpltion. The 'play is by 'veteran drama critic Robins MiUar, of the Scottish Daily Express. The yarn involves an alert and prankish valet who joins in hi¬ jacking a cask of whisky from a distillery, on a bet. The liquor is deposited in a mill-house cellar, then' discovered by a nimble an¬ cient with a nose for spirits. Apart from Russell Hunter’s cheekily exuberant portrayal of the valet, the role of the thirsty greybeard is well handled by Ful¬ ton Mackay, Jack Hedley is pleas¬ ant but needs to show more humor- sense as the Scot laird, and Ed¬ ward Waddy links good nature and ire as the distiller. . ■The Nevil Dickm set, especially of the mill-house interior, is a standout, and Richard Mathews’ direction has proper pace. ^ Gord, . Man ist nur zweliiial (The Second Youth) ^ ^ Vienna, Feb. 20, ? Kaihmerspiele production • of comedy in three «cts .by O. F. Beer and Peter Preses. Star* Marla Andergast, Erik Frey. Staged by Warner Kraut; set, Inge Fied¬ ler. At Kamm^rspiele, Vienna, Feb. 20, '57. Peter Grafenegger ............ Erik Prey Mar the .... Maria Andergast Hans Nebel ..; Leopold Halnisch Dr.'Schroeberl .Ernst Waldbrunn Hertha Eckl . Marianne Schoenauer Wanda' Cipriani .. Sylvia Lydl This new comedy, inspired by U.S. Professor Edmund Bergler’s. science-fiction book, “The Revolt of the Middle-aged Man,” is a smash here. The script is by the wellknown critic O. F. Beer and the noted German language com¬ edy director, Peter Preses, and is their first collaborative attempt. The theme of the play is the male change of life. The idea is that' men- approaching the 50’s have a panicky sex compulsion.-In this, case, a wife cunningly ar¬ ranges a new business interest for her husband, but in so doing, she unwittingly involves him in a love affair. Kammerspiele has provided a distinguished cast. Maria Ander¬ gast and Erik Frey are outstanding as leads, and Ernst Waldbrunn and Leopold Hainisch are excellent as old time buddies; Inge Fiedler has deiSigned a fine single set and Wer¬ ner Kraut has directed with an experienced hand. Maas. , Ein Bessercr Herr (A Better Gentleman) Berlin, March 6. •Theatre ^presentation of a acts, by- Walter Hasen- cl^ver, Star.* Martin Held. Staged by Hans Lletzau; musical arrangements. Her¬ bert Bauman; settings and costumes. H. W. Lenneweit. At Schlosspafk Theatre, Berlin; $2,75 top. Schlosspark comedy in t- Herr Compass . . Otto Graf Frau Compass .. Roma Bahn Harry CompasS .;. Klaus Kammer Lia Compass .Lore Hartllng Moebius . Martin Held Rasper . Walter Bluhm Von. Schmettau .. Paul Wagn6r Frau Schnuetchen .. Lotte Stein Aline . Barbara Saade “A Bettef Gentleman/' which the late Walter Hasenclever wrote 30 years ago and which was, banned by the Nazis, is authentic boule¬ vard entertaihiheht. Those *'able' to laugh at themselves will par¬ ticularly'enjoy it. This satirical fairy-tale (for very modern people, of course) centers around a middleaged man who lives by swindling elderly women. He’s b^ nc means unscrupulous or unpleas¬ ant, and when the police arrest him, none of his victims will appear against him. On the contrary, they forgive him explaining that without him they probably would not have had any man at alL At the finale, the professional Casaiiova falls in love With his last victim. . The frank dialog is nbt for the prudish, but the action is brisk and the satire of morality and sen¬ timentality is funny, despite the fact that the* piece was written 30 years ago. Hans Lietzau staged “Gentle¬ man” with taste, wit and pace. Martin Held is outstanding as the professional Romeo. ’ H. W. Len- neweit’s Interiors and fashions of the 1920’^s are excellent,' as are Herbert Baumann’s . musical ar¬ rangements. “Gentleman” has good film potential. HanSf Ea Nult Roiiiainc (The. Roman Nfrht) • ^ Paris, March 5. Jacques Heberot presents a drama -in two acts and eight -scenes by Albert Vidalle. Stars Roger Hanln, Claude.Genia; features Jacqwllne Corot, Jacques Du- fllho, Pierre Reynal. Staged by Marc^lle Tassencourt; sets, -Jacques Marillier; cos¬ tumes, Stanislas Lepri; music, Y^s Dar- rlet. At Theatre Heberot, Paris, Feb, '26; $3 top. Francesco . Roger Hanin Lucrezia . Claude' Genia Beatrice ...;.... Jacqueline Corot Lett! . Jacques Defflho Cardinal Seratl . Pierre Reynal Fclicio . Jean Dalmtan Cecelia . Rosine Constant Melodrama takes place during the end of the sweeping Italian Renais¬ sance and concerns a family whom the new freedoms have left cruel, immoderate and decadent. Murder, incest,'parricide are the themes'on. a backdrop of intrigue and blas¬ phemy. Written with a poetic, orthodox drive, it has a-theatrical power that has made it a hit here. For the U.S. it might be an item for repertory or off-Broadway, Decors and costumes are good, also there is a fine musical score. Roger Hanin has presence as the blasphemous, dark Cenci, while Claude Genia paces him as the wife. The rest of cast gets into the mood of this aharchic piece. Mosk, N.Y.’s Alvin'Theatre Will Get a Perk After ‘Sgts.’ The Alvin Theatre, N.Y., is in for a refreshing. New seats, a paint job and the installation of an improved air conditioning sys¬ tem^ are planned for the house ■following the. exit of its current longrun tenant, “No Time for Ser- I'he Columbia Broadcasting Sys¬ tem, which owns the 1,331-seater, will continue to operate' it as a- legit theatre, with Herman Bern¬ stein remaining as general man¬ ager. Secretary / Exec. Mala 21/ saaki growth opportunity In ontortainmoht/rolatod fields; thorough show busirtost backi^round, public ro^ latiens; top stenographer, Jnitlatlvo, accustomed heavy tosponsibllitias. Ex- collant rofaroneds. Call MUrray Hill f-4541 or write BOX V-223-57, VARIETY/ 154 W. 4«th St., How Yor/k N. Y. GIRL FRIDAY Young, wide' background, aocrotarial skills. Fluent French, writing ability, ASCAP, oxporlanco musical, thaatar. Soaking position with future. Box V-345e-57, VARIETY, 154 W. 4*th .St., Haw York 34, N. Y.