ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11875, 8 July 1924, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

“PEC 0 s MY HEART”

HISS NELLIE BRAHLEY’S COH-

PANY’S SUCCESS.

"Peg o’ My Heart” is one of the novels which act like a tonic upon one when down in the dumps, for Peg is one of the most lovable characters who ever appeared between the covers of a hook. Hartley Manners will not die while this story lives, and as the comedy has proved equally popular there is a long career ahead. Hartley Manners wrote the story for his wife, who first played it in America, and later it took London by storm. When the comedy was first produced in New Zealand it was an instant success, and Miss Sarah Allgood, whose privilege it was to first present in this country,, received a very hearty welcome.

Now the Nellie Bramley Company has revived this sparkling comedy, full of wit and humour, with here and there a tender touch of sentiment which is not out of place. And this Nellie "Peg” is presented in such a natural way, with such charm and vivacity, that it would not require a long stretch of imagination to see in her the original Peg. Herein lies her success, for she lives in the part; the brief lapses into sentiment are typical of the character she portrays; they are not unduly stressed, for Peg does not wear her heart on her sleeve. This splendid tale, told behind the footlights, is infinitely preferable to some of the American comedies «rhich have been staged. One goes away and recalls the performance with pleasure for long days afterwardsThe- large attendance at the Opera House again last night is the best evidence of its popularity. The story briefly is this :~To an old English county family comes a vivacious and charming girl of lower degree. The family have 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 Chichesters of Scarborotmh to make a lady of Miss Margaret commonly known as /P eg.” And the humour of the play lies largely in the spectacle of the said Miss Margaret O’Connell's defiance of their most' cherished conventions; Peg does not know that she is an heiress, nor that the Chichesters (her cousins) 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 np mischief, falls in love with one "Jerry,” refuses numerous proposals from people aware of her fortune, and finally takes to nerself the blame for an attempt on the Part 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 time to save Ethel. And at tne same time she reveals her own staunch 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 lighthearted romance between Peg . and Jerry who reveals himself as a lord, and who equal in Peg’s affections York a worshl P iped father away in New

xr^- ere J s no , th .i,ng Stereotyped about Miss Nellie Bramleys work; she. reinforces every word with look or gesture; she has au tne natural freedom and unconscious awkwardness of the fresh, unspoiled nature she portrays. Her high spirits conH 1 ™ 811 ? b «ak out, but in her outbursts she has all the good humour, the sheer inability- to be serious, and the strong p°“™° n sense that are so typically Irish. raalc bottoin is a worldly wire little n known poverty, cold, and but these have failed to warp her nature. She is one of life's optimists. Miss Brantley's Peg is a personas vivid m its way as any in . °e° r e e Hewlett’s Jerry is a good foil for Peg, merry, able, and singular emancipated from snobbery-one's b ® au “Jeal of an average young 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 ww° ne of i a comfortable -humanity! What a contrast to the hard, unfriendly Chichester family, the mother, the vacuoas son and selfish daughter. Miss Svlvia McNair's lot as Mrs Chichester is by no means a light or easy one but sh! does well; John Galway’s task of infui ing life into the frame of Alaric Chichester, who is made on conventional lines H n accomplished;, and Miss Ethel’ Bashford performs satisfactorily in a part which does not ofier much scone for noticeable work. Gtiv lor trays the George Bryant plays Montgomery Hawkes* a genial solicitor, nicely, Lionel Tbp)i it, ’ pompous butler, and Miss Kathr/n Muril the maid. It must not be forgotten that o’M 6 y a ifea o r r ?' W more “"Peg

TIVOLI THEATRE another bright bill. HUMPHREY BISHOP CO. Thera is much to be seen, heard and ?,*• for money at the Tivoli «w n h , ls Th « vivacious Hum- £°* oocupies tho leading place on the bill, and for nigh on three hours the fortunate audience is treated to melody and mirth. The whole show ?“ s a J® a P an . d sparkle found rarely even 'J 1 J >l i < if eSal<3 ? £d ran^s > and crowded houses S®. order of the evening. Robert pfreTof m his ve ry .best vein, u** f ' nth , Mr George Ross (the a i nd tke - virtuoso) he sets Of “SL®?? 1 ?. .rocking with laughter at the eccentricities of the clever pair of Comedians. Next, as Gaspard, the miser in the castle scene from “Lea Oochee do Corneville," ho gives a wonderful representation of the grim miser As Gremoheux. Maurice Jaffey sings nicely, and the whole strength of the company is enlisted to make the scene a most effective and telling one. With Mane Crowther Robert Roberts gives a ? ivac i? us exhibition of eccentric dancing in Stumbling,'' aided b„y a most effee five chorus. Then again with Mr George Ross, and the girls, Mr Roberts participate? in the (hilarious finale, “Gay Laree, besides taking a prominent tart m ensemble work. His versatility, and invariable success proves him to be a finished artist, and one of the most valuable members of the company. Mahann Ney. the Eastern maid, is heard in pleasin* songs at thp T-iano. Wellington's own sweet Ngalre Phipson appears in a dance speciality of graceful kind. She has a most attractive personality and dances excellently. Lalie Whyte, the brilliant soprano, charms all with her claritv of voice; while Mario Crowther, in addition to doing valuable duo work, figures in a dashing turn with her Southern Girls. Maurice Jaftcy and Walter Kingsley sing Watchman what of the Night," and the first named, with dainty Louise Meadows, gives a charming presentation of the attractive musical scena "Linger a Little Longer." The original Ragtime Quartette is as original as ever in "Hortense" and "Vamping Rose." Walter Kingsley is highly successful in ‘Sea Road, and in response to an encore, the old English ballad, "Watercress”—a fine effort, whilo Billy Tointon contributes “ouie enjoyable xlyophone soloe. Edward Elliott, the doleful mirthmaker, Rooroi another distinct success, his topical allusions being most popular. He gives a remarkably clever ventriloquial act, in which "Sunshine James" seeks the doctor's advice, with screamingly funny results. Estelle Rose, one of the most finished artists who has ever appeared *h the vaudeville stage in New Zealand, is heard in her impressionistic character songs and stories. Barbarina, the silver wire expert and contortionist with the beautiful figure, is also n favourite. liVr wise her intelligent “Tom." The programme will be presented nightly during the week -

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

STIFFY AND MO IN "THE SHOPWALKERS." Stiffy and Mo again scored a, great success at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, delighting a large and most appreciative house with thejr screamingly funny musical comedy revue, “The Shopwalkers." Dan M. Dunbar is the owner of the emporium; Peter Brooks the head shopwalker, with Stiffy and Mo as his understrappers; while Mike Connors appears as “Sozzle,” the drink miser. Queenie Paul, Dot Davis, and Gladys ■Shaw are the shoppers; w'hile the chorus and ballet take the place of the shop girls. The piece is brimful of fun and frolic, for a Ihrge part of which Stiffy and Mo are responsible; bright music, catchy songs, and dainty dances unite to make the revue one of the very sprightliest and best yet presented by this talented combination. The main feature of the plot is a lost bangle, for which a hundred pounds reward is offered. Stiffy, Mo and Keith Connelly each buy a “lost" bangle from a chorus girl; but being scared by a detective on the prowl, Mo and Connelly cleverly 'plant” their bangles on Stiffy, who, in turn, thinks he has succeeded in passing his on to Mo. In the end, however, the laugh is with “Stiffy," who manages to collect the iIOO reward for each of the three bangles he has unwittingly accumulated. The byplay Is funny in the extreme; one of the most laughable episodes being when Mo, endeavouring to sing “Abe, My Boy," by special request, arouses the ire of the "secretary to the tailors’ union," and has his evening dress literally torn off him because it is not union-made. The vocal numbers include: “The Fair," shop girls; “Syncopated Walk," Conners and Company; “Sophie on the Sofa," Connelly and girls; “Nirvana," Peter Brooks: "Irish Mottq of Mine," Conners and Paul; "You’ll bei Sorry," Davis and Stiffy; “Bubble Song” (by kind permission of Mr J. C. Williamson), Paul and girls; “Just Because It’s You," Davis and girls; “Blue Harrier Blues," Connolly and Shaw; "Some Sunny Day," Conners and girls; “Wake Me TJp in Alabama," Brooks and girls; "Fair, Fat and Forty,” K. Connolly; “Close the Sale." “Good Night."

Very taking vaudeville turns are presented by Madge Bilton and Max, who, as ‘'The Happy Wranglers," sang a number of clever duets and indulged in some most amusing patter; by Charles Sherman, entertainer at the piano, who gave several able imitations of English, Scotch and American comedians; by Reno’s Marimba Band, who submitted a very popular musical melange and showed ivonderful mastery, not only of the marimba, but also of the banjo; and by Maud Courtenay and M r C., whose new topical songs and stories earned them welldeserved encores. Their most popular numbers were undoubtedly “Over and Over Again," and . “At Our Exhibition This Week," the latter being a very apt and mirth-provoking parody of “Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter Be?” A very successful first appearance in Wellington was made by Bert Coote, a- clever London comedian, direct from successful runs at the Tivoli Theatres in Melbourne and Sydney, who, supported hy Mr Oswald Waller and Miss Peggy Fishwick, presented a delightful and novel sketch entitled “P. Pipp, Detective." A special meed of praise is also due to Mr Frank Crowther (conductor) and his select orchestra.

This most enjoyable programme will be repeated each evening during the week, and at Saturday’s matinee.

“MERRY-GO-ROUND”

PRINCESS THEATRE DRAW.

A tale which whirls before one the everlasting merry-go-round of life. As fast and certainly a more complicated affair as the show attraction is “Merry-go-Round," the huge Universal release which is showing at the Princess Theatre for a season. The story tells how a wealthy count finds he has 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 ho hides liis rank from the girl and bids for her hand. The war calls the count, and on his return, tho 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. Mary Phil'bin 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 lanes and highways to vast. New York, whero success lures all and failure grasps tho many. There is also a gazette and a comedy.

“THE ETERNAL CITY”

ATTRACTION AT KING’S.

The attraction at the Kang’s Theatre this week is "The Eltemal City," which is a story of modern Italy and shows most effectively how the country was upset with conflicting opinions before her leaders finally decided to stand by the Allies in the late war. The nation was at this time assailed by a subtle force known as the Red Terror, and through internecine corruption aimed at overrunning a distracted country. Taken from the pen of Sir Hall Caine, the story depicts_ in a vivid manner how the black-shirtod Fascisti organised to save their country from chaos when it was war-weary and tom asunder with industrial troubles. Bert Lytell take 6 the part of David Rossi, a patriot, who after serving his country at the front, takes np the cause of the Fascisti and boeomes 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 in Italy. The picture is filmed amidst Italy’s glorious scenery, and is splendidly produced. A comedy and a Gazette complete _ the programme. The orchestral selections include the overture “Orpheus in the Underworld” (Offenbach) and an entr’acte march from "Aida" (Verdi).

“THE WISHING WELL”

JUVENILE PANTOMIME.

A grand juvenile pantomime, "The Wishing Well,” was performed at the Concert Chamber on Saturday and Monday nights, and will be repeated to-night. The piece was well performed, and many ballet numbers were given, arranged by Misses Williams and Gibbs, Kathleen O’Brien, Sadie Brown and Mr Joe Knowsley. The parts were taken by : King Francis (of Poppy Land), Cecil McGee; Simple Simon, Cecil McGee; Princess. Isobel (his sister), Rorta Taylor; Humpty Dumpty, Mait Wilson; Lady Nita (of Arcady), Jessie Taylor; Sir Karl (her brother), Kathleen Boyle; Lettice (companion to Nita), Ruby Bushby; Fairy Roseheart, Olive Wiffin; Spirit of the Well, Phyllis Colwell; Robin Hood, Norman Bramley; Puff, Rex Welsh• Wuff, Tom Costello; Miss Muffitt, Paddy Rowe: Tom Tucker, Squire Shaw; Tulip, Edna ®? l ? w; ™' Rose ' Nancy Walker; Nature girls, Elsie Smith, Hazel . Shaw, Gladys Wiffin, Mary Smith, Kitty O’Connor, Lorna McKay, Doris McLean, Gladys Needham In the first act. Poppy Land, Phylhs Cdwell danced as the Spirit of the Well, a Maori poi dance was given by Mariana Heketa and an Oriental by T,«- Eula Goodwin, Rene Lander, Martha Myers (soloist), Aotea Taylor. Rose Robertson, Phyllis Pringle, Freda T3eryl Ward, Kath Hanniface Ruth Brewer, and Nellie Doull. A valse movement was given by Joan Marshall, and a ballet of flowers by Olive McKenna, Gladys Smyth, Mavis Boon, Jean Hinton Minnie Mapplebeck and Marjorie Lemport. Act two opened with “Flight of the Birds, by the orchestra, “Cheerio bailor Boy was given by Rona an.) Jessie Taylor, a ballet jickey by Edna Shaw, Elsie Smith and ballet, song “Bfe Brother" by Rona Taylor, “The ScarS crows by Ella .Liardet, Hazel Shaw Joan Marshall, Phyllis Colwell, Evelyn Wright, Edna Shsvt. Weight, Ltude

Holes, Noelin Pritchard, Amy Belli amin, and Dance of the Moon Fairies by Beryl Ward (soloist) assisted by Hazel Martin, Ruby Fisher, Nellie Doull, Nancy Gillespie, Marjorie Vause, Vera Milroy, Elsie Swanson, Peggy fiowath, Ellen Kuring. The third act contained the ballet "Snow and Autumn" by Olive McKenna, Mayer Twins, Uronla Bloxham, Winnie Mapplebeck, Grace Ward, Jean Hinton, Minnie Wilton, Gladys Smythe, Maureen Summerhaye; the dance specialty “Eccentric" wlis capitally done by Evelyn Wright, ballet “Thru the Night" by Olive Wiffin and ballet: ballet, “Original Dutch," by Gwen Billows, Beryl Browne, Rita Luxford, Marjorie Murie, Eunice Kerr, Mayroa (Houston; ballet, "Spanish Gipsy,” Joan Marshall and Evelyn Wright (soloists), assisted bv Leonie Holes, Edna Wright, Phyllis Colwell, Noelin Pritchard, Ella Liardet, Nola Wright, Amy Belhamin, Hazel Shaw; and grand finale, “Happy,” by the comgany. The stage manager was Mr W. urns, Mrs Sykes was in charge of the music, Mrs E. Shaw of the dresses, and Mr McEUigott was electrician. The proceeds are for the Port Nicholson Band .and St. Francis Hall. SONG RECITAL MADAME OTTLEE’S STUDENTS. A second recital by Madame Otlee’s students will. be given in the Concert Chamber on Monday evening, the 14th inst. The varied programme, including part songs by a choir of 30 voices, and the aong recital "Pagoda of Flowers," has induced heavy booking, and holders of invitations are advised that no seats can be guaranteed unless booked. Box plan opened at the Bristol on Monday.