“ROOKERY NOOK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 17

“ROOKERY NOOK”

LAUGHTER RUNS RIOT ENGLISH FARCE AT ITS BEST “Rookery Nook,” a farcical comedy in three acts by Ben Travers. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by J. C. Williamson Co., Ltd. CAST Gertrude Twine Jane Comfort Mrs. Leverett Minnie Rayner Harold Twine Leslie Victor Clive Popkiss Basil Radford Gerald Popkiss Hastings Lynn Rhoda Marley Donalda Warne Herr Putz Victor Fitzherbert Admiral Juddy Cyril Vernon Poppy Dickery Helen Simon Clara Popkiss Beth Mackey Mrs. Possett Nellie Mortyne Ho not go to His Majesty’s this week expecting cheap, slap-stick comedy bordering on vulgarity. llui go if you desire good, healthy English humour, played by one of the finest allround casts we have seen for many a year—go once, go twice, “Rookery Nook” is worth it. People last evening laughed immoderately and almost immodestly. They laughed spontaneously at spontaneous humour, and then subsided into that satisfying chuckle which lingers happily in the head and in the heart long after the final curtain. 'They laughed because it was impossible to do anything else. “Rookery Nook” is not r|ie of those farcical plays which begins hilariously and ends like a damp cracker. Neither does it belong to the class which limps dismally while the characters introduce themselves and ends 'with a lively frolic as though apologising for its birth. For the whole of its three acts the humour of “Rookery Nook” scarcely relaxes. One situation leads to another in such rapid succession that the audience is almost reduced to a state of happy helplessness. The memory of Mr. Lynn attempting to dismiss Miss Rayner on the stairs is one of the most amusing moments of a thoroughly amusing evening.

There is splendid material for rich comedy in the story of “Rookery Nook,” details of which are superfluous. Clad in silk pyjamas, a lovely young girl dashes into a house which has just been rented by a young married man whose wife is not expected until the following day. She spends the night in the house, alone with the young husband and several relatives and a “day woman” with a nose of scandal are involved in the complications which follow. Those complications could come only from the pen of Ben Travers, whose sense of the ridiculous is a joyous thing. Almost without exception the cast, which is unhampered by the “star” system, carries its honours triumphantly. “Rookery Nook” contains some really excellent acting. Mr. Lynn seems to be unconsciouslv funny, warming to his work as the play proceeds. His speed, his ease, his simplicity of method make ail admirable combination for playing comedy which is so essentially English. Mr. Radford, fueed from the tactics of the mystery play, gives us his real worth in a splendid performance. One cannot think of a more pleasant situation than he and Mr. Lynn acting together. Miss Rayner gave every line its utmost value. Here is an extremely capable actress, alive to the possibilities of every situation and with a. delightful sense of comedy. She builds her humour on the soundest of foundations—ability. Mr. Vernon gave us a perfect character study and created the desire to see

more of his work. Miss Warne. a charming young lady who is r< pidly stopping to stardom, soon had the sympathy of the house. Her attractiveness was mainly responsible for the complications of the play. Miss Comfort poured the necessary acid into the mixture by playing her part with the utmost conviction. Mr. Victor, capable player, can always be relied on for a sound performance. Mr Fitzherbert produced verbal fireworks as though he meant them, and the remaining members of the cast gave all the support which was necessary in this tempest of laughter.