HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18156, 29 January 1921, Page 10

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

‘•AT THE BARN.”

Yet another aspect of the versatile gifts of tn« Marie Tempest-Graham JUruwne Company was seen in its production ot “At tne Beau’’ at Bis Majesty s Tneatre last nigut. itus clover and unusual littie play —u is called a comedy, but it is a good ucal besides that —by .-vutnony Av barton gives good opportunities to more members ol the company man is me case with several ol its otner pieces. 'I lie less weil-known players acquit themselves with great credit, anu in some cases show previously unsuspected skill and power. Ihe whole of Uio action takes place eitiier in “ihe Barn,” which is Kennetn Maxwell s residence in Hampsnire, or m the pretty garden of that very interesting bachelor ostabhsnment. It is the home of Kenneth Maxwell, author (who, as his triend says, has written a lot of good boohs which nobody read and one bad one whicn everybody read), “Jimmy ’ Crane, artist, and "Biliy’’ .Lewis, dramatic critic. Into this free-and-easy establishment bursts suddenly, without warning or excuso* Molly Blair, a rising actress, wno has become involved with Lord Cloabarry, irom whom she wishes to escape. With his knowledge, but against his vvid, she decides to remain at “ine Barn” tor a fortnight. She telle Maxwed frankly at the outset what the position is. Lord Olonbarry made a bargain with her when she was a strugglmg cnorus girl that ne would help her to win professional success at a price. Her success nad come, and the lord comes, too, to claim payment. | When Maxwell argues that a marriage with him should be quite satisfactory, sne says piaudy; “Lord Olonbarry lias never asked me to marry him.” lie does do so a little later 1 , 1 however, ror he is really in love with her, but he is too late; Molly has fallen in love with Maxwell, and will marry no other man. Then comes a subtle, tense struggle lor Molly’s soul, the self in her that cares for nothing in mortal combat with the sell that longs for higher things. One wonders sometimes if men in love are always as blind in real life as they are one the stage; but in any case Maxwell’s blindness, tnough he loves her truly, comes near to wrecking everything. Molly has at length to tell him in so many plain words how dull he is before he wakes up i to claim her. Graham Browne gave a masterly delmea- j tion of the character of Maxwell, and again his ease and his restraint were outstanding characteristics of his work. Marie 'iempest, as Molly, the gay, ever-changing, bold, flippant actress, with the hidden neart ot gold, always compelled attention, and she obtained many impressive effects by the most finished subtleties of art. There was, tor instance, the scene in which her tense emotion burst into an involuntary scream, which she immediately camoullaged by declaring tha.t an insect had run down her back; and the scene where, on the verge of hysterics after hurling a rose in Maxwell a face, slje yet joins in instantly with the boisterous fun of “Billy” and “Jimmy,’ who suddenly enter the room. Apart from the principals, no one contributed more to the success of the whole performance than Ashtpu Jarry, in the part of Knowles, the autocratic serving man with a past, who rules the household with impartial seventy, and whose every appearance is lull of humour. Frank Harvey, as “Jimmy Crane, and Steff MacDonald, as 1 Billy Lewis, gave very bright and breezy renderings of these characters; and Doris Gilham, as the stern daughter of the vicarage, with an unooncealable cold, who comes to admonish Maxwell for harbouring an actress in his house, gave one of the most amusing pieces of acting, of the whole evening. Herbert Millard made a very good Lord Lionbarry, not a spotless charactei by any means, and yet not wholly bad, for he took his beating in the end quite manfully, and wished Molly and Maxwell luck. Frank Allanby had little to do as Julian Stein, Clonbarry’s companion; and Dorothy Hamilton a*d Amorel Kemp gave a very bright and amusing presentation of two stage friends of Molly who visit the bachelor lestlblishment. At the close the Payers : were repeatedly recalled to receive the applause of the audience, and some beautiful bouquets were sent up to Miss Tempest.

“COUSIN KATE."

This afternoon Miss Marie Tempest, Mr Graham Browne, and the brilliant company supporting these two great artiste, will appear in a representation of the exquisite and very humorous comedy drama Cousin Kate,” which is regarded by many critics as Miss Tempest’s beat creation. i here are few comedies which can boast of a love scene so poignant, so pleasing. Mid so full of subtle sentiment as that which Cousin Kate” presents in the second act. ine storv of “Cousin Kate”concerns a woman (Kate), who falls in love with a man in a railway carriage, without knowing that he is affianced to her cousin, who, further (still in the dark), persuades her cousin to plead “ peocavi'' on a tiff, and effects a reconciliation at the moment when she discover" that her cousin’s fiance and the man she loves are one and the same person, Frcun here on the interest is intense. While the comedy is very humorous, there are moments when tears follow smiles, and the, beautiful difference between love and duty are presented m the most convincing manner possible. Those- who. have only seen Miss Tempest and Mr Browne in straightout comedy roles should not miss witnessing “Cousin Kate.” as in this charming play they are both presented in an intense dramatic scene in which they axe said to exhibit great dramatic power. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the performance will commence at 2 o’clock.

“THE MARRIAGE OF KITTY.”

To-night, at His Majesty’s Theatre, Miss Marie Tempest and Mr Graham Browne will make their final appearance, and the occasion will witness the only production during the present, season of the most delightful and very popular comedy, “ The Marriage of Kitty,” with which Miss Tempest’s name has been associated m almost every English-speaking country in the world. It was in “The Marriage of Kitty” that Miss Marie Tempest first created a furore in high-class comedy in London, after she had been the idol of England in musical comedy for some years. Some idea of the triumph Miss Tempest achieved may be gauged by the fact that her creation of the name part was responsible for the three years’ run enjoyed bv “The Marriage of Kitty.” Miss Tempest’s name has been associated with the success of “The Marriage of Kitty” in almost every part of . the world. “The Marriage of Kitty ” is a comedy translated from the French by Cosmo Gordon Lennox; the dialogue, crisp and pointed, runs with rippling smoothness. Mr Graham Browne is without doubt one of the finest comedy actors who has visited New Zealand, and there is also no doubt that his characterisation of the part of Sir Reginald Belsize is one of his very best creations.