OPERA HOUSE SUCCESS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12613, 25 November 1926, Page 8

OPERA HOUSE SUCCESS

“ELIZA COMES TO STAY" BRILLIANT COMEDY COMPANY. “Eliza Caines to Stay," the second play to be presented in Wellington by the Joseph Cunningham Comedy Company, was well received by a large and appreciative audience at the Grand Opera House last night. There is a strong vein of humour running throughout the play, the comedy having a tilt at the proneness of society. Miss Zillali Bateman, who scored such a triumph in "“The Unfair Sex," is Eliza, and her character part is bound to stay in one’s memory. The story describes how Sandv Verrallpromises his life-long friend that he will look after his daughter Eliza. But he is somewhat disillusioned, for after picturing a golden-haired child with blue e.yes he discovers that she isn’t a child, but a young woman, with a bun-haired, spectacled head, straw hat, unspeakable ankles and off-set with a simpering giggle. The girl is semingly impossible, and the bachelor flees to Paris to escape this female. Eliza, however, develops into a beautiful butterfly and the guardian is only too willing to rid of a pressing actress by marrying her to his wealthy uncle, and thereby weds his ward him-, self. The transformation of Miss Zillah Bateman (Eliza, the ugly duckling) to Dorothy (the dazzling butterfly), shows acting of rare artistry on the part of Miss Bateman. Campbell Copelin is well suited to his part of Verrall, the bachelor who carries the responsibility of Eliza on his shoulders. Others who do excellent work are Miss Henrietta Cavendish (Ladv Pennybrook), Miss Sylvia Clifton (Vera Lawrence), Miss Beryl Barraclough (Mrs AUoway), Norman Carter (Alexander Stoop Verrall), Moncrieff McCallum (the valet), and Frank Bradley .(Montague Jordan). “Eliza Comes to Stay" is billed for the rest of the week. It has plentv of laughs, much subtle satire, and considerable philosophy.