ORANGES! RIPE ORANGES!

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18901, 17 January 1927, Page X

ORANGES! RIPE ORANGES!

"NELL GWYNNE."

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE, TO-DAY. "Oranges! Ripe Oranges!" cries pretty Nell at tho door of Drury Lane, and many a theatregoer pauses to purchase her wares, listen to her witty chatter, and gaze upon her peerless beauty. His Sovereign Majesty King Charles tho Second, passing with his courtiers, hears the cry, and beholds the beauty, which neither rags nor tatters can conceal. And therewith began a romance which stands among the great love stories of the world. Based on tho stage play, "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," the film production, "Nell Gwynne,' with Dorothy Gish in 'ho title ro!c, comes to Everybody's _ Theatre to-day and being just what it is, the authentic and thercforo very romantic story of King Charles and his Nellie, it ranks with some of tho finest contributions to the silver sheet. About the story of these two there is an atmosphere imparted to no other illicit love, which it was, no matter how idyllic and idealistic it was. Few there are who raise the voice of condemnation a-nd the finger of acorn against Nell, for, apart from tho charm of her fascination, which seems to have outlived her and extended down the ages, her charity and her love for the poor and the unfortunate, to which Chelsea Hospital stands a 9 a living testament, tend to givo an aureole to the names of Nell Gwynne enjoyed by none of Charles's other ladies. At her frailest, Sweet Nellia was a dear, lively, intriguing little creature, whose delicious wit and sparklo captured tho King and crushed the disgruntled Lady Castlemaine. her chief rival for Royal favour, and in the picture thero are some vastly amusing passages between Nell and her Ladyship, which only two women, fighting for the same cause, could effect. It is a lesson in feminine tcchniquo to eeo the manner in which the erstwhile orange girl disposes of her more commanding rival. Thero is more than comedy and romance- about the story. A deep pathos enters into the (dot with the death of Charles, whereat tho other ladies of the Court turn their attentiin to finding other means of diversion; Nell remains true to the orio and only love of her life. It ehowß her in a. better light, and reveals, perhaps, more of the woman than even the King saw in life. "Nell Gwynno" is a picture to charm the most captious, a story which possesses every essential towards genuine entertainment, and has the added savour of reality. There is a fine oldworld air about tho production, and the dressing is bewildering in its feminine interest. In the title role, Dorothy Gish is bewitching in moments of vivacious comedy, and compelling in more dramatic scenes, in bofh of which the picture is rich. As King Charles, Randal Ayrton is a dashing, romantic, yet withal haughty figure, tho Royal Stuart to his fingertips. They are supported by a cast of exceptionally brilliant players, all of whom, down to the last "super," are true • artists. Everybody's "Select" Orchestra, under tho direction of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., will bo hoard in specially selected orchestral numbnis, ineluding the following compositions:—Overture. "Dcr Freischutz" (Weber); dance suite, "Nell Gwynne" (Germi>n); "Valse Piortante" (Peel); fantasia, ' "Midsummer Night's Dream" (Mendelssohn); minuet, "Altflaraisehes" (Friedenthal); suites, "Divertissement" (Lalo); entr'acte, "Love's Old Sweet Song" (Mclloy); selection, "Student Prince'' (Friml). Patrons are urged to book their scats at The Bristol Piano Company, where the box plans are now ou view.