“MOLLY BAWN”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 172, 9 April 1923, Page 11

“MOLLY BAWN”

POPULAR COMEDY-DRAMA REVIVED

“Molly Baum,” a comedy-drama in four acts. Cast —

Prissv Lawrence Connie Kyte Louise Marsden Molly Carroll Cecil Darley Eileen O’lleilly George d’Arcy Cecil Scott Horatio Etlieibert Richard Bellairs Ted Luttrell Allen Doone

Plantagenet Potts J. Vincent White Lord Amherst Charles Brown Marcia Amherst Adele Inman Philip Shadwell Ronald Riley Dimetri Kevin Kerrigan Eleanor Massereeno Edna Keeley Sarah Mabel Russell

“Molly Bawn,” the admirably-con-ceived comedy-drama which was produced by Allen Doone and his players at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening, gained the stamp of popular approval when Mr. Doone visited New Zealand a few years ago. Renewal of an acquaintance with its many charms and bubbling humour only serves to strengthen the belief that it is one of this actonts most enticing plays, and »ne in which Mr. Doone appears to singular advantage, owing to that clever blend of romance and rollicking humour which pervades the role of Teddy Luttrell. Teddy is a guest of Herst Royhl, the seat of Lord Amherst, a cross-grained old Peer who is singularly alert mentally despite his physical decrepitude. Amherst’s life had been one of keen disappointments. His three children have all made what he considers mesalliances. One daughter marries Shadwell, a spendthrift, another daughter Massereene, an Irishman, and Ins eon marries an actress. When the play opens Philip Shadwell and Marcia Amherst, two Assigning grandchildren, are in attendance on the old man and make no secret of their desire to gain possession of their grandfather's estate. Their plans are upset, however, by the arrival of Eleanor Masseieene, the daughter of the Irishman aforesaid, the old Peer having decided to attempt to make some reparation to her for his harsh treatment of her mother. Ted Luttrell falls in love with Eleanor on sight, and boldly kisses her before all the house party, as he declares: “You’re the girl I’m going to marry!” Eleanor is so shocked and indignant at this treatment that she is about to leave with l er old nurse, but is persuaded to stay on. The coming of Eleanor (whose nick-name is “Molly Bawn”) causes a breach between Philip and Marcia- The latter hints that an overdose of a sleeping draught would end Amherst’s life. Philip, who sees how the old man is favouring Molly as against Marcia, makes this a pretext or breaking with tho bloodthirsty Marcia. But on the night of a fancy-dress ball Marcia, driven to desperation at Amherst’s expressed determination to alter his will, does give him the overdose, and as Molly prances in at the head of » gioup of shrouded revellers the old man falls dead at her feet. Marcia at once accuses Molly of having brought about the old man’s death, but Luttrell, having overheard a conversation between Philip and Marcia, in which the former discloses that he witnessed the fell deed, is able to clear Molly, or rather at tho reading of the will he insists on Marcia doing so. The end is not very obscure, Philip and Marcia, whose deceit Amherst has been acquainted with all through, are left with a mere trifle, whilst Molly becomes the owner of Herst Royal, and, of course, the wife of the ever-faitlhful Luttrell. Colour and movement enliven and enhance tho march of the story. For instance verisimilitude is lent tho claim that Amherst has been a great traveller by the garnishing of the walls of the hall with trophies from all countries. There are valuable brasses from India, tho assagai and shields of Zulus, tapestries from Egypt, robes from China, and rugs from Burma and Turkey—all the personal property of Mr. Doone. Then in the gay ball-room scene, where every character is in fancy dress, Mr. Doone appears in $ spotlight as Robert Emmet, the Irish patriot, and delivers’ part of the speech Emmet made in the dock prior to being led away to this death. The next moment -the ball-room is flooded with light, and Mr. Doone, surrounded by the company, sings “A Toast to Erin,” a song he has made famous throughout the British Emp re, which was followed by “The Wearin’ of the Green.” The close of this act saw a scene of great enthusiasm, with half a dozen curtain calls for Mr. Dopne. Miss Edna Keelev exerted her comnolb'ng charm with nice discretion na Eleanor Massereene, and Miss Adele Inman was vixenish enough for anything as Marcia. An outstanding performance # was that of Mr. Charles Brown as' Lord Amherst. Though crabbed and withered with age, Mr. Brown brought in to high relief the dominating spirit and discerning intellect of one of the blood. Another 'veellent cornedv performance was that ■<t Miss Mabel Russell as Sarah, iCleanor’s dear old Irish nurse. Mr. Ronald Riley lent polish and distinction to the role of Philip Shadwell, and Mr. Kerrigan’s make-up as the Indian servant who has not a word to speak in the play, was remarkably effective. “Molly Bawn” will bo given three more performances. On Thursday next, “In Old Donegal” is underlined for production. ___