KING’S THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12538, 30 August 1926, Page 9

KING’S THEATRE

“MY OLD DUTCH.’ The quaint London of the costers, with their queer customs, button-trim-med clothing, and colourful surroundings, was reproduced at Universal City In one of the outstanding pictures of the year, “My Old Dutch,” Lawrence Trimble’s all-star production featuring May McAvoy, Pat o’slalley, Cullen Landis, and Jean Hersholt, which is now at the King’s Theatre. The story, a forty years’ romance, is laid in picturesque surroundings with several thrills. A sensational fight, staged after the old British fashion, as was done up to the days of John L. Sullivan, is one of the dramatic high lights. A huge coster festival, with several hundred people in a donkey race, is another. Through it runs the romance of a couple whose abiding faith and love over a period of sixty 05 more years is the central theme. The story was adapted by Lawrence Trimble, the director of the production, from the Chevalier tale based on the famous old British song. 'The quaint, romantic, humorous song ef a generation ago brought to the flame and flare of life by the magic of perfect characterisation, action, and costume. The rare humour of these inimitable English coster folk—the screamingly funny donkey race—the delicious twelve-ply marriage ceremony. These are some of the fascinating scenes in “My Old Dutch” that will bring joy to many hearts and the blush of romance to one’s cheeks. It’s an epic of human devotion with a vein of golden humour smiling ‘through the tears. A comedy and a gazette are included in the bill, while the orchestral items include many old time coster melodies.