IRENE VANBRUGH ENTERTAINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 19, 23 January 1929, Page 12

IRENE VANBRUGH ENTERTAINED.

The appearance of a distinguished artist in New Zealand is not a frequent happening, and when Miss Irene Vanbrugh attended the gathering of the member« <«f the league of New Zealand Penwomen, held at their club rooms, Paykel's buildings, yesterday afternoon, there was a large gathering of members to meet lier. Miss Vanbrugh was accompanied by Miss Saker and Miss Preston, two members of the company. The -rooms were charmingly decorated with bowls of flowers and native ferns arranged round the walls, giving a cool and refreshing touch to the scene. The success of the afternoon was largely due to the informal atmosphere that prevailed. After the guests had been welcomed and Miss Vanbrugh hail made a charming little speech in reply, a number of the members were introduced to the guest-of-honour. and the time was pleasantly spent in chatter - and enjoying afternoon tea. On arrival the guests were received by Mrs. A. Stuard Boyd, the president of the league. In her speech of welcome, Mrs. Boyd mentioned the dress rehearsal she had attended of the play in which Miss Vanbrugh took her first part. The play was entitled, "Walker, London." At this rehearsal were a number of people who had since become prominent figures in the world of dramatic art, They included Barrie, Toole, Seymour Hicks and Irene Vanbrugh. Mrs. Boyd, who is a friend of Sir James Barrie, mentioned happy little incidents that

took place at various rehearsals of his plays, and on questioning Miss Vanbrugh found they were both in possession ef certain mementoes that were given by Barrie to those who attended his rehearsal. Mrs. Boyd also spoke of other parts Miss Vanbrugh has created and mentioned Hose, in "Trelawney of the Wells," Lady Mary in "The Admirable Crichton/' Letty, in "Letty," Nina, in "His House i» Order," Kate* in .VThe Twelve Pound Look," Sophie Fulgarney in "The Gray Lord Quex," and Nora March in "The? Land of Promise." In conclusion Mrs; Boyd said how pleased the members of the league were to have Miss Vanbrugh here again and hoped it would not be long before she returned. Miss Vanbrugh made a delightful speech in reply. Actually, she said, the first part. she played was in "Alice in Wonderland," presented at the X)ld Globe Theatre, London, in which she was the Knave of Hearts, This was followed by a part in which she burlesqued two women. It was in "Ibsen's Ghost," a skit on Ibsen, who was very much to the fore at that time, and written by Barrie. It was Miss Vanbrugh's first large piece of work, and to make a success of it she invited the two ladies she had to burlesque to tea and asked them to be as much themselves as possible. Speaking of the parts she had played Miss Vanbrugh said she thought her favourite part was "Letty" in Pinero's play. Miss Vanbrugh concluded by thanking Mrs. Boyd for all the complimentary things she had said about her, and the members of the league for their hospitality. She apologised for the absence of Mr. Dion Boucicault, who was not able to attend on account of an important rehearsal, and said how happy they were to be in Auckland again. Mrs. Boyd wore a frock of navy satin brocaded in floral design, with navy turban hat trimmed with ospreys at one side. Miss Vanbrugh wore a cape ensemble of chiffon patterned in green and black, with wide-brimmed green hat to match. Miss Saker was in black georgette with black hat, and Miss Preston wore amber and cream crepe de chine with large black Bangkok hat. Amongst those wlio were present were: Mrs. Victor Macky, Mrs. Nello Porter, Mrs. F. Hutchinson, Mrs. H. R. Hesketh, Miss Edith Lyttelton, Mrs. Tiarks, Mrs. G. C. Lyttelton, Mrs. C. Prime, Mrs. J. Ansell, Mrs. Brbwnlee, Mrs. Arthur Bullock, Mrs. J. Crisp. Mrs. Hammond Hyde, Mrs. S. E. Wright, Mrs. A. G. Quartlcy, Mrs. Cluett, Mrs. Preston Chambers, Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. F. Fitchett, Mrs. Hennings, Mrs. C. E. Maguire, Mrs. Richmond, Mrs. S. Smith, Mrs. Boswell, Mrs. Emmett Kelly, Mrs. Austen, Mrs. Elliott, Mrs. Mingay, Mrs. N. E. Ferner, Mrs. J. Barr, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. G. Robertson, Mrs. Howard, Mrs.. Arthur Orrffiths, Mrs. A. Macandrew, Mrs. Swanston, Mrs. H. 'Kelli--her, Mrs. Carr-Tibbitts, Dr. Gladys Montgomery, Mrs. Booth, Miss Quayle, lif&jville, Miss" M. Tiarks, Miss f Miss D. MaeCormack, Mis* J. Porter, Miss Haig, Miss Meltl Lloyd,'/ Mrs. Wakeman, . ; >Miss ..Johnson, Mrs. Schmidt, Miss Orr, Miss Bertram, Miss M. .Gjrevatt, Mrs. Algie, Miss Pegler.