GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 54, 7 March 1929, Page 5

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

IMiss Irene Vanbrugh was, if possible, in even greater sparkle than usual In the final presentation of "Bellnaa" at the Grand Opera House last evening, and the performance, notwithstanding the continued indisposition of Sir. Dion Boucicault, was still an excellent one. Mtss Vanbrugh was . well' seconded by Miss Bowena' Ronald, a refreshing school-girl, and the male side of the cast was quite equal to Its responsibilities. To-nl(!ht will bo revived the established favourite,'"Mr. Pirn Passes By.' r To -Mr. ' Dion Boucicault .and Miss Irene Vanbrugh, nine years aso in London, fell the distinction of giving the nrst performance of A. A. Milne's . great English comely, "Mr. Pirn Passes By." Since then these two great English artists have made the. principal characters of the play, Sir. ' Pirn and Olivia respectively, peculiarly: their own. ' Mr. ■Pirn Passes By" will be the- last play to be stagod by the Irene VanbrUgh-Dion Boucicault Company at the Grand Opera House, under J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management. Its short season will commence to-nlglit and conclude on Saturday night. "As this lstho last occasion on which these distinguished English artists will over be seen -In .Wellington (they are; at present on; their farewell tour of the Dominion), theatregoers should on no account miss .this, opportunity of forming their last and lasting impression of them.' As Mr. Pirn. Dion Boucicault lives his part, so that the audience are not conscious of the actor; but are filled;with the character.' Miss Irene VanbrugH as Olivia: shows to the full that she Is not less great as an'actress in nor part than Dion Boucicault Is a gerat actor in his. When one makes allowances for the pathetic old fleure'of Mr.' Pirn passing by it Is impose slble not to.fall Into roars of laughter at the disturbance 'he unwittingly , makes.' It would be difficult, to name .» finer comedy, clean and wholesome, and certainly it would be impossible to find an actor better suited than Dion Boucicault. to do justice to one of the mo3t ,whlmsical ,and most original characters" at present on the stage. Others in the 'cast-are-Hiss'Rowena Ronald and Mr. Ronald Ward.■■'-■ Box"plan Is open at 'The Bristol.