"HIS HOUSE IN ORDER,"

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18183, 20 September 1924, Page 18

"HIS HOUSE IN ORDER,"

♦ VANBRUGH-BOUCICAULT SEASON.

A'.rain list Eight, in the Theatre Royal—;he second night of the long-icokcd-for Yan-brug'n-Boucicault season—the audience that witnessed "His Hou3o in Order," found the reputation that had geno before to be borne cut from curtain to curtail!. Applause came without restraint, and with elicit actors as Miss Irene Yr.nbrugh and Mr Dion Boucicault it was no matter for surprise thai a spell was cast over the audience. Pinero's play is one o; the gems of the past—but such a gem that its re-iniroduclion has gained immeasurably uy contrast with ruociern day stage presentations. It has been said that, Mr BoucicanJt has been seen in roles which tit, h;m better ;]jit o: Hilary Jesson, in "His House of Order," but it is hardly conceivable that ho could 'bo feen in a part which did eo. Mr Boucicault is '.-ailed upon to interpret a character capable of tho finest shades oi feeiin?. By training Hilary Jesson is a diplomatist, and he understands the art oT plaving ur-on the human emotions to gain his" ends, "but beneath his suave exterior and his delightful sense of humour, iliuve, is a true British olur.Lness whic-ii de~ sivoa to swear cloud at all signs of cant, liytjocrisy, and smug, vindictive, respectability. Mr Boucicault loomed larger in this play than hi 3 distinguished wife, Miss Vanbrugh, because liis opportunities were greater, but Miss Yanbriigli gave more than a taste of her quality. As tbe, second wife of Mr Filraer Jesson, brother oi Hilary, had to pink her personality to a great degree in tho first two of tho four acts, and that, she did so in such a complete manner was a great tribute to her art. So faithfully did Miss Yanbruch play her part tha.t she could sink into obscurity, remain unnoticed! in a drawing-room scone until thi> action of the play demanded that she assert herself, and then tho audience was brought to a realisation, almost with e, shock, that sho was tbrro end had been thero all tho time. In this, both the. principals rise to tho greatest heights of tense, emotional noting, all done with a restraint which speaks louder than volumes of sound.

The principals are supported by a brilliant ca.st. "His House in Order" inll be repeated to-night.

"MR PIM PASSES BY."

On .Tuesday night ar.tl two following evenings Miss Irene A'anbrugh and Mi- Dion Boucicault, together with their splendid company, will stage tho brilliant comedy "Mr rim. Passes By," which proved ono of tho outstanding successes during their recent record Sydney and Melbourne seasons. In Auckland and "Wellington "Mr Pim Passes By" created something like a furoro of enthusiasm. It was staged for* threo nights during the early part of the Auckland season and'---3o great was its success that it had to be revived again on tbo last night, when over 1000 people wore unable to obtain admission, so great was the demand for seats, in Wellington it attracted record audiences, and tho booking for the three (performances to bs staged hero indicates that it will prove equally successful here. Mr Boucicault is said to be magnificent -is Mr Pim, and Miss Vanbrugh has achieved ono of her ■best successes in tho comedy role of Olivia MaTdon. Only __ tho threo representations can be staged of "Mr Pim Passes By,'' and on Friday and two following eveninga "Tho Second Mrs Tanquerav" will be staged. On Tuesday, September 30th and four following evenings "Aren't AVe All?" will bo produced here for tha first time.

The plans for the season are at Tho Bristol Piano Co.