NELLIE BRAMLEY CO.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1924, Page 2

NELLIE BRAMLEY CO.

BOON TO LAUGHTER-LOVERS.

A‘ packed house greeted the Nellie Bramley Comedy Company at the Opera House last evening, when b air and Warmer” was presented. lhe play proved exceedingly diverting and laughter was loud and frequent throughout the performance. The story was* funny in itself, and the situations .and dialogue added to the general mirth. Briefly, the plot was as follows:—Billy Bartlett is too good a * fellow and his wife yearns for some symptoms in him of the old Adam. Through sheer boredom, she prepares .to obtain a divorce. He is greatly distressed at this development, and sought counsel with an old college chum, and acting on that gentleman s advice, projected himself into a whirlpool of complications which set two households at loggerheads. “Carry on with some other woman,” advised the college chum, “any woman will do.” “What time or ’ company like the present” reasoned the hitherto model husband, and seizing the opportunity when he was left alone with the wife of his friend, that lady also cherishing a’grievance in respect of her husband/ they embarked upon a carousal, the nature of which would try the sternest stuff of the most hardened sinner. _ln a sorry plight the two were ultimately discovered by an indignant wife and a thunder bellowing husband, and the rights and wrongs of the whole situation were, after a storm-tossed passage, finally adjusted. The chief honours of the evening were won by Mr Arthur Cornell, as the too-model husband. His restraint and naturalness proved real ability as an actor, and although the comedy is one that almost acts itself, it could be marred by injudicious emphasis. Mr Cornell last evening never “overdid it,” and some of the company could follow his example with advantage. Miss Nellie Bramley ably bollaborated with him, and in the “spree” scene was especially clever, and she soon became a general favourite. As the too-model husband’s wife. Miss Sylvia McNair gave an acceptable rendering, and as the not' too-model husband, Mr George Hewlett was a worthy foil to Mr Cornell. In minor parts, Messrs John Galway, Guy Hastings and William McGowan, and Miss Beryl Baraclough did all that was asked of them. Altogether, the first performance of the Company was of that quality to win an undoubted success, and the audience was obviously very well satisfied. Full houses should be achieved throughout the season. To-night, a different kind of comedy will be produced, in “Peg o’ My Heart.” Those who have seen the comedy before can enjoy reviving old memories of “Peg,” and to those who make her acquaintance for the first time there is a new avenue of pleasure opened. Miss Nellie Bramley is said to have never given a more brilliant performance than as “Peg,” her charming simplicity and sincerity winning .all hearts. All the humour of the brave little Irish girl is brought out with delicious effect, so that smiles are the pervading element. • To-morrow night, “It Pays to Advertise” will be staged (commencing at 7.45 p.m.), arid on Monday the season will close with the presentation of “Sunday.”