SPARKLING COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 20130, 21 March 1929, Page 2

SPARKLING COMEDY

‘OH APPROVAL’ PRESENTED BOUGICAhLT-VAHBRUGH SUCCESS _ From Dion Boncicault. and Irene Vanbrugh the most polished acting is always expected and in ‘ On Approval.’ presented for the first time at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, the porI traits they painted wore worthy of being added to their already famous gallery of characters. ‘On Approval ’ is it light comedy in three acts by Frederick Lonsdale. CAST. Duke of Bristol Dion Boncicault Richard Halloa J. B. Rowo Helen Hayle Kowena Ronald Mrs Wislack Irene Vanbrugh It is iin amazingly small cast to play a comedy set in Mayfair and a Scottish mansion. Not even a servant appears .at any stage. But ‘On Approval ’ is so intriguing in the complexity of its plot and tho unravelling of the tangled strands of romance that further characters would be superfluous. Frederick Lonsdale is a noted dramatic author. In Dunedin we have seen his ‘ Maid of the Mountains,’ ‘High Jinks/ ‘Spring Cleaning,’ ‘The Fake/ and ‘ Madame Pompadour/ while, on their last visit here, the Boucicault-Vanbrugli Company played ‘ Aren't We AH.’ in construction, ‘On Approval ’ is brilliant. The characters are clever, and they tit perfectly into the plot, the development of which is both sane and romantic. Tho dialogue is of a high quality throughout. It lairly sparkles with witticism, paradoxes, and epigrams. From flic first lino to the last the play is nothing but comedy. Of tense moments of drama (or melodrama) there are none. Tho characters are lifelike. No more appropriate tribute to tho ability of the cast to play ‘ On Approval ’ to its fullest merit could bo paid than to say that, even if the theatre had been in darkness, the characters would have been vividly painted iii tho mind’s eye. But it would be a pity for anyone to miss those touches of genius which Boncicault and Irene Can bn gh give to their acting. As tho egotistical, selfish Duke of Bristol, Dion Boncicault made the arrogant peer a really dotestablo fellow, but, at tho same time, one could not help but admire the charm of his personality. As a satire on a proud but penniless wearer of a coronet, the Duke was a brilliant characterisation by the author, and Mr Boucicault’s portrayal was superb. For fifty years in this coming OcUiber, Dion Boncicault has been on the stage, and dial be should .so faultlessly present the character ol a duke on the right side of forty was but evidence of his artistry. His softly modulated voice seemed to add to the unlikeable qualities ol the Duke, and that emphatic “ 1 insist. I insist ’’ was a masterpiece, 'throughout, Mr Boiicieanlt'.s acting was balanced to the finest degree, MBs Vanbrugh. too, a-as most pol isbed in her detincadon of Mrs Wislack, one ot those domineering, overbearing';, and quarrelsome women whoso actions arc backed by a heavy bank balance. Mrs Wislack's decisive views on mankind were deliciously crisp and sharp, li was a part which .suited Miss Vanbrugh to a nicely. And. although Mrs Wislack was all that a lady should not be in the exercise of her personality, Miss Vanbrugh made her charmingly' natural. A, clever piocejof restrained acting was given by Mr Rowo as Richard Halloa, an impecunious lover, who finally revolted at domination by tho wealthy lady. His portrayal was never forced, and lie made Richard Halloa an ideal man. Miss Ronald made a most p rc-scn able stage appearance as the wealthy heiress who discovers that there is a wide margin between inlalution ami true affection. Her lines were comparatively few, hut what she did she carried out faultlessly. ‘Du Approval’ is staged with that minute attention to detail which marks every pi eduction by the celuhraled pair. The settigs have a reposeful appeal. The comedy will be presented again to-night. ‘ MIS' HELL 0’ HEW ORLEANS ’ Commencing to-morrow night, for two nights only, tlie Irene VanbrughDion Boncicault Company will present ‘ Mis’ Nell o' N’ow Orleans.’ “ Miss Vanbrugh's Nell was a scintillating, conyincing person,” states an Auckland critic. “ Tlie vivacity of the part was infectious, and the audience was kept constant to the fullest degree of Null’s flights of temperament and her extraordinary gift of humour. Miss Vanbrugh showed everyone that it was perfectly within the realm of possibility for Nell Davout.ry to emerge from an ‘ old maidish ’ cloak and go back to the days of romance. A garden in the French quarter of New Orleans had a good deal to do with the return to romance and also the bumbling ol Georges Durand, a part which gave J. B. Rowe excellent scope. Mr Dion Boncicault had the part of Pero Clement, and made it a remarkably line characterisation. His comprehension ol the part was impressively genuine, and Pere Clement bad the satisfaction ol knowing that his eli'orts to solve all tho troubles were certainly not in vain. Rowcna Ronald was a popular figure as Delpliinc Falaisc, Nell’s niece, who was so startled when her, aunt made her return to youth. Djilphine had to pass through a variety of emotions before she was assured of the uninterrupted attention ot Felix Durand. The delightful shading of humour in ‘ is’ Nell o’ New Orleans ’ has been responsible for its exceptional popularity. The Vanbrugh-Boucicault Company tells the story cleverly .and the acting is finished.' ” Box plans arc now open at The Bristol. ‘ Mis’ Nell o’ New Orleans ’ will be followed on Monday evening (for nno night only) by ‘Belinda.’ and ‘ Mr Pirn Passes By ' on Tuesday and Wednesday for the last two nights of tho season.