HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 18851, 28 January 1925, Page 6

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

‘EAST OF SUEZ.’ Under onr social system the initiative in regard to marriage is with the male, and if a woman gets the man she would have chosen had she the right to ask it is more or less of a fluke; nevertheless 9j per cent, cast out of mind all thoughts of others when once they have said “ Yes,” and stick to the man they have accepted as loyally and unreservedly as though he was and always had been the one and only eligible in the world. That is the wav' of decent civilised whites. Therein they differ from the Eastern women, or, rather from the half-bloods ol the East. Such, at any rate, is the teaching of ‘ East of Suez..’ The Daisy of this play is essentially unfaithful in thought and in deed. We refuse to believe that she is a fair specimen of the Eurasian, But that is not the immediate, question. The important fact for ns is that Somerset Maugham has created a part which is painfully strong dramatically, and that Miss Muriel Starr makes the most of it, aided by the forceful acting of Mr Frank Harvey and Mr Maurice Tuohy. It must be mentioned, also, that for the local color the company is largely indebted to Miss Jessie Page, whose portrayal of the Amah grows upon one night after night until it stands out as one of the features of the performance. ‘ East of Suez ’ is to he repeated this evening.

‘ THE GARDEN OF ALLAH.’

As a flight of emotional imagination and spectacular magnificence ‘ The Garden of Allah,’ to ho staged for the first time in Dunedin at His Majesty’s Theatre tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday evenings, is said to rank high in the realms of theatrical representations. It is a remarkable drama of the desert, of a newer Abelard, who breaks away from his monastery for a brief sally into a world of sin and sorrow. As Boris Androvsky love comes to him, hut he finds the spectre of the past bet worn him and happiness. Domini Enfelden, a. woman whoso life has been bereft, of joy, whoso, father and mother were lost to her early, and who has little to ho thankful for, is the means of bringing some happiness to the monk s heart. But the manners of a monastery are not those of the world, and the manners of Boris betray him to Count Antenni, who has seen him on sacred ground. When Domini discovers her husband’s past, she insists that he confess, and ho returns to the homo of the Trappists. As the heroine, loving, charming, and beautiful, Miss Muriel Starr is said to fairly excel herself. Mr Frank Harvey is said to give a very fine study of the Trappist nmnk, pursued hy doubts and fears, but Hr a time, completely overwhelmed by his love for Domini EnfeHcn. Fine supporting work is done. Maurice Tuohy (fount Anteoni), Roger Barry (Captain Do Travignac), Rosamunde M’Millan (Suzanne), Harvey Adams (bather Roublcr). John Fcmside (Batouche), Charles Wlu-'der (the sand diviner), are only a few of the lengthy cast.

Next Saturday, (lie farewell night of the reason, the old favorite, ‘ Bought and Paid For,’ will be presented. Many years have passed since Miss Muriel Starr first plaverl (he part of Virginia Blaine ui New Zealand. But it is one of her best roles, and the revival will be welcomed by a, huge number of theatregoers. the boxpin us are nt The .Bristol,