SMART FRENCH PLAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 16

SMART FRENCH PLAY.

"SEXES AND SEVENS."

MISS BANNERMAN'S NEW ROLE

As neat a French play as "Sexes and Sevens" it would be difficult to imagine. Who but the French would conceivo a situation in which a rich and beautiful woman, enamoured of a man she has met in a hotel, anonymously makes him an allowance, places sumptuous apartments at his disposal and uses . her financial domination to dictate his daily actions and habits ? Who but the French would conceivo this man assuming the pose of a male courtesan, obeying the orders of his unknown benefactress per medium of typewritten edicts mysteriously conveyed to him by the rnaitre d'hotel ? Some queer reversions of character, such playing of sixes and sevens with the sexes, is the stuff (hat French comedies are made of, and this jolly concoction of Gallic drolleries, skilfully adapted bv Arthur Wimperis from the original, is no exception to the rule.

It is not easy for everybody to attune their unaccustomed tastes to the acrobatics of French wit, but with the help of such sympathetic actors as Mr. Anthony Pnnsep introduced at His Majesty's lheatre last evening the task is iin monsely simplified. By the time the second act was in its stride the full flavour of the piquant situations and sophisticated dialogue came to bo eagerly relished. The opportunities given for light comedy acting were legion and the players, excel limhlv cast, fairly effervesced. Precarious skating was called for at times in situa lions that might bo considered delicate, but in these breathless moments the actors rose gracefully to .the occasion. J ho play was very largely a dialogue, anil a brilliant one at that, for Miss Margaret Rannerman and Mr. Ellis Irving. 'J.he work of both was a treat to watch. Miss Rannerman, always dazzling in appearance, always exquisitely gowned, tairly scintillated in the extraordinary role of Mado, the mystery woman, a female Rockefeller, who conducts her own business on the stock exchange, and uses her wealth to entangle the male of the species. 'I he gay insouciance of her manner, the ineffable charm of her personal presence, the eloquent expression of her voice, and the freedom of her every gesture, gave perpetual pleasure. Mr. Irving showed himself in new and startling colours as a fine comedian. As the fortunate young man smiled upon bv unexpected fortune, he took upon himself the biggest role he has essayed Now Zealand, and scored a definite success. His confidence, artfulness and resourcefulness in the crucial second act, which was. in a unique fashion, his own act, stamped his work wit!) the hallmark of quality. It was a performance of which any actor might be proud. Mr. Arthur Cornell acted typically well as a waiter, Mr. Herbert Millard was a gentlemanly nifiitro d'hotel, Mr. Pirie Bush was studiedly careless as (.he doubtful friend, and Mr. G. Kav Souper made an admirable attorney in a fine elderly make-up. Miss Dorothy Dunckley gave another pleasurable performance, as Mndo's mother. Miss Lilv Titheradge was a delightful maid, and Miss Cicclv .Tonns n captivating rival of the mvsterious Mado.

There will only be, two more performances of " Sexes and. Sevens," the senson closing with a production of the SaJiToti play. " Diplomacy," on Monday and Tnesdav.