ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11874, 7 July 1924, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

A LIVELY COMEDY "PEG O’ MY HEART” REVIVED. NELLIE BRAMLEY'S SUCCESS. “Peg o’ my Heart” is one of the comedies which deal with pre-war Europe, and which, for their humour and happiness, are to-day as attractive as ever - . Much water has made its way to the sea since Laurette Taylor set the Old Country by the ears in her presentation of Hartley Manners’s bewitching little damsel, and since the play finally made its way to New Zealand to score on immediate and triumphant success. And it is as amusing now. as neat a comedy of manners os it then proved to be. There are some plays which bear a date stamp and announce their period in terms clear and unmistakable, but “Peg” is not in that category. The revival of this sparkling comedy ihv the Nellie Bramley Company, at the Opera House on Saturday evening, then, is a matter for thanksgiving. Again we see a comedy free from American trappings, an ever present cause of laughter and a reminder that we have seen some good plays in the years past. To an upper middle class English household, peopled with those beings of an entire uselessness and dullness known as . “county'families," comes a vivacious and charming girl of the lower orders. Her irruption is made the more piquant—is rendered possible at all, indeed.—only because the family has just lost its money and she is the sole heiress to a large estate. The story of the play is the story of the attempts of the Chiohesters of Scarborough to make a lady of Miss Margaret O’Connell, commonly known as "Peg." And the humour of the play lies largely in the spectacle of the said Miss Margaret O’Connell’s assault and battery of the Chiohesters’ most cherished conventions. Peg does not know that she is an heiress, nor that the) Chichester (her oousins) have lost their money through a bank failure. Least of all does She know that they are paid .£IOOO a year to bring her up on conventional lines. She gaily stirs up mi6ohief, falls in love with one “Jerry,", refuses numerous .proposals from people aware of her fortune, and finally takes to herself the blame for an attempt on the past of Ethel Chichester to run away with Christian Brent, a man who is "misunderstood" by his wife. Peg has been to a forbidden ball that night, and arrives in the nick of timo to save Ethel. And at the same time si e reveals her own staunoh nature and fine spirit. Ethel, previously her enemy, becomes her ally against the bitter attacks of the family, and when Peg rebels in earnest she is not alone. Through the play runs a light-hearted romance between Peg and Jerry, who reveals himself as a lord, and who finally, stands equal in Peg’s affections with a worshipped father away in New York. It was Miss Sarah Allgood who first presented Peg, the endearing, to New Zealand audiences. Miss Nellie Bramley’s performance in the same role naturally challenges comparison, and the balance swings in her favour. Miss Allgood’s Peg was a bright-eyed, impulsive Irish knaiden, and. at times, of a distressing sentimentality. Miss Bramley goes deeper. There is nothing stereotyped about her work; she reinforces the veriest monosyllable with look or gesture, she has all the natural freedom and unconscious awkwardness of the fresh, unspoiled nature she portrays. Her high Spirits continually break out, hut in her outbursts she delivers her most shattering utterances with the aplomb of a social leader; she has all the vanity, the good humour, tho theatrical posing, the sheer inability to te serious, and the strong common sense that are. admittedly or not, essentially Ipish- For Peg, at rook bottom, is a wordly wise little maid. For all that she faces life with n. laugh sbp has known poverty, cold, and hunger, j and even this, tne most crushing of forces, has failed to warp her nature. She is one of life’s optimists. It is as natural for her to shoulder the i blame t of Ethels transgression as it is to . "soel" the shaggy-haired terrier, Michael, upon Ethel’s toy dog, or to confide her whole life’s history to Jerry five minutes nfter she meets him. Miss Bramley s Peg is a personality as vivid in its way as any fin comedy. It is a thing to he thank-. tul fed in a sad world. Naturally it is the way of a dazzling, dancing creation such as this girl to obscure one's vision of the others. But George Hewlett’s Jerry is a good foil for Peg, merry, able, and singularly emancipated from snobbery—one’s beau ideal of an average yonng man who 'can do a number of things fairly well," but nothing beyond that, as he himself admits. A man to have for a friend, fnd one of a oo intertable’ humanity. Satisfying work, this, and contrasting with the hard, unfriendly Chichester family, the mother. Who makes one feel that there is some- j thing to he said ter the French Revolu--tion, the vacuous son and selfish daughter. Miss Sylvia McNair's lot as Mrs Chichester falls in hard places, but ‘ she .does well; John Galway’s task of infusing life into the frame of Alaric Chichester, who is made on conventional lines, is neatly accomplished; and Miss Ethel Bashtord performs satisfactorily in an unsympathetic part. Guy Hastings portrays the philandering Christian Brent, George Bryant plays Montgomery Hawkes, a genial solicitor nicely. Lionel Inch is a pompous butlpr, and Miss Kathryn Murie a maid. '

FULLERB’ VAUDEVILLE

GREAT NEW PROGRAMME TONIGHT. The talented English comedian, Mr 1 Bert Coote, and his supporting company of comedians, will b© on© of th© prim© attractions in. the new programme to be presented by the Fuller Company at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening. I Mr Coote will present what is stated to be a clever one-act fare© entitled Detective/* which, is ©aid to give the principal actor wide ©cope for his talent in tho character of a ‘'would-be" detective, who accidentally upsets the working of a gang of crooks. The new piece is reported to be humorous throughout and to oulminate in a climax vmch arouses a great peal of merriment. The. charming comedienne, Miss Peggy Fishwick, will deipiot the important part of Gwendoline, and the two remaining char--! actors will he played by Messrs Waller and Walker. Another important engagement is that of Mr Ohas.' Sherman, who will be favourably remembered as one of the principals in the Ward Sherman Revue Company. This artist will appear in songs arncll stories at the piano, in which he is said to be particularly entertaining. Reno’s Marimba Band bas been ongagod for an extended season, and has prepared a new melange of popular jazz music. Miss Maud Courtnay end Mr C., who have nmv liecome so papular with local vaudeville audiences, i will provido an entirely new -repertoire of I humourous songs, stones and topicalities. 1 Bilton and Max, who have also found much favour locally since their first appearnnee, -will submit a new comic sketch. Stiff-.- and Mo., like the proverbial brook, bid fair, to go on for ever, for their extraordinary popularity shows no sign of abatement. To-night these popular comedians will present what is said to be one of their best efforts, and 13 entitled "Tho Shopwalkers." As the name of the piece implies, both Roy Rone and Nat Phillips will affect the parts of shopwalkers in a drapery emporium. New songs and dances will be introduced by the supporting members of the oomnany. andl os throughout tho piece the fun is said to be fnst and furious, a most hilarious revue may bo anticipated. Tlio new pporrramme will bo repeated nightly during the week and at the customary Saturday matinee.

HUMPHREY BISHOP COMPANY BRIGHT ENTJ2R.TiU.NMENT AT TIVOLI. In the original introductory to the varied, and highly enjoyable programme now being submitted! at the Tivoli by the Humphrey Bishop Comedy and Operatic Company, the leader sings “For 1 1 am the Showman ” And he speaks [ truly. lie is a showman —every inch of him; in fact he is one of the .blest showmen who have come to Nov Zealand to provide us with delectable entertainment, sweet music, sprightly dancing, and rousing happy choruses. There is a map and a sparkle about tbe programme now being offered at this popular theatre that cannot fail to please any audience, and judging by the enthusiastic applauso with which the new bill was received on Saturday by crowded houses at aiiternoon and evening sessions, complete success in this detail has Iboen. achieved. There is plenty of movement, pep and music from rise to fall of the curtain; there are no wearisome waits, and the applause for one item has scarcely subsided when the orchestra dashes into the overture of the next aot. The company and audience are so intimately associated that they become almost as oomradee towards the close—this adds not only to the value of the performance, but to the enjoyment of patrons. Of Saturday’s chango special praise must be accorded to ,Jlr Robert Roberts for bis very excellent performances. First of all, with Mr George Boss (the cheerful idiot and the virtuoso) he was most amusing, and the house simply rocked with laughter at the eccentricities of the clever pair of comedians. Next, as Gaspaxd, the miser in the castle scene from “ies Cloches de Comeville," he gave a wonderfully realistic representation of the character, and Where tbe tolling of the bells signified bis downfall, he was quite impressive. As Grenicheux, Maurice Jaffey sang the music sweetly, and the whole strength of the company was enlisted to make the scene a most effective and telling one. With Marie Orowther he gave a vivacious exhibition of eccentric dancing in “Stumbling," in which there was a most effective chorus. Then again with Mr George Ross, not forgetting the girls, Mb' Roberts participated in the hilarious finale "Gay Paree," besides taking a prominent part in ensemble work. His versatility, and the success he invariably achieves, proves him to be a finished artist, and one of the most valuable members of the company. Mahana Ney, the Eastern maid, was particularly pleasing in her songs at the piano, and this clever little lady would be wise to specialise in this particular phase of her art. Our own sweet Ngaire Phipeon appeared m a dance specialty, for which she was vociferously encored, responding with another lerpsiehoreau gem. She has a most attractive personality and dances with consummate grace. Lalie Whyte, the brilliant soprano, charmed all with the clarity of her notes and her extensive range, while Marie Orowther, in addition to doing valuable duo work, figured in a dashing turn with her Southern Girls. Maurice Jaffey and Walter Kingsley were loudly encored for their singing of “Watchman, what of the Night," and the first named, with dainty Louise Meadows, gave a charming presentation of the attractive musical scena "Linger a Little Longer." The original Ragtime Quartette wore as original as ever, and created roans of laughter with their novel handling of "Hortense" and "Vamping Rose.” Walter Kingsley was highly successful in "Sea Road, and' in response to an encore, the old English ballad “Watercress”—a fine effort, while Billy Tointon contributed same onjoyable xlyophone solos. Edward Elliott, the doleful mirthmaker, scored another distinct success, his topical allusions being most popular. By special request he repeated his vocal feature, “I always take a glass of -milk before I go to bed," in which the audience joinedl lustily, and gave a remarkably clever venmloquial act, in which “Sunshine James" sought the doctor’s advice; with soreamingly funny results. Estelle Rose, one of the most finished artists who has ever appeared on the vaudeville stage in New Zealand, was encored again and again for her impressionistic character songs and stories. Barbarina, the silver wire expert and oontorionist with the beautiful figure, was also a favourite, likewise her intelligent “Tom." The orchestra was up to its. usual high standard, and the whole production reflected the highest credit on Mr Humphrey Bishop and performers alike. It will ibe presented nightly during the week.

PRINCEBB THEATRE “MERRY-GO-ROUND." “Merry-go-Round," the Universal attraction of the old Vienna, and the new aa it was found after the war, is the attraction at the Princess Theatre this week. This release was taken at enormous cost, and the settings depicting old Venice are most lavish. As the name of the picture suggests, the photoplay suggests a whirl of life. Which, burning faster and faster, catches in its vertex the puppets straggling for a foothold. The story tells how a wealthy count finds he lias fallen in love with a humble organ player in the famous wonderland of Vienna. Already betrothed to a wealthy heiress he begins to see how hollow ''society" really is but under a quickly chosen identity he h idles his rank from the girl and bids for her hand. How troubles beset them oh the merry-go-round of life whirls faster and faster, and the, merry-go-round, of the wonderland keeps in time, provide; a theme for an exciting photoplay. Tho war calls the count, and on his return, the great gulf which now separates the old Vienna from the new is seen. He takes a lowly position, and the disentanglement of his troubles leads to a particularly fine denouement. Maiy Philbin and Norman Kerry admirably play the lead.

In addition there is "The Purple Highway," with Madge Kennedy in the title role. This film leads one through lanos and highways to vast New York, where success lures all and failures grasps -the many. There is also a gazette and a comedy.

"CIRCUS DAYS” A JACKIE COOGAN RELEASE. Jackie Coogan has scored; another success in the latest addition to his longlist of attractions in "Circus Days," which is showing at the Strand Theatre this week. Action is the keynote to the! picture, which tells of a young hoy who j runs away from a none too loving father and starts business on his own account as a peanut-seller. His falling in with a circus starts what holds promises of being a particularly interesting! and adventurous life for the ’boy. He falls into serious trouble but is shielded by the world’s leanest man and the fattest woman and has a most romantic love affair with the dainty circus rider, Jeanette. A whole circus is reproduced in the picture and with the appearance of elephants, wild animals, rough riders and clowns, tho entertainment afforded by the picture never lags. The role of Toby’s mother is played by Barbara Tennant, and Russell Simpson and Claire McDowell are in congenial roles. Great mob scenes are uortrayed and the comedy and human interest are faithfully! presented. ! The second production, “The Meanest Man in the World” shows Bert Lytell in one of Ills best rolls to date. He acts as an affectionate young lawyer Who is the favourite of all, despite his numerous attempts to be the meanest man in the world. Miss Blanche Sweet in the role of heroine is charming and 60on wins the heart of the young solicitor. In addition there is an excellent supportiug programme, Harry Avery and his Jazz Band playing the incidental music.

KING'S THEATRE

"THE ETERNAL CITY"

A story of modern Italy, showing how the country was upset.with conflicting opinions before her leaders finally decided to stand by tho Allies in the Great War, and the attack from within when the peace of the nation was threatened by tha "Bed Terror,” which overran the distracted country after the war, is told in "The Eternal City, * which is the main attraction showing at the King’s Theatre this week • Taken from the pen of Sir Hall Caine, the story depicts in a vivid manner how the blaok-shirted Fascist!' organised to save their country from chaos when it was war-weary and tom asunder with industrial troubles. Bert I>ytell takes the part of David Rossi, a patriot, who after serving his country at the front, takes up the cause of the Fascist! and becomes one of its leading organisers. Barbara La Marr is seen in the part of Donna Roma, a village girl, who rises to become the most famous woman m Italy The picture is filmed amidst Italy’s glorious 6cenery, and is splendidly produced. A oomedy and a Gazette complete the programme. The orchestral selections include the overture "Onpneus In the Underworld” (Offenbach) and an entr'acte march from "Aida” (Verdi).