“THE MAGISTRATE'S WIFE."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16811, 14 August 1922, Page 11

“THE MAGISTRATE'S WIFE."

ENGLISH ACTRESS INTERVIEWED.

Miss Rosie Le Varde, the distinguished English actress, who is to make her first Australasian appearance in

“The Boy” at the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening, is the possessor of a charming personality that should quickly make her a first favourite with Christchurch audiences. A “ Lyttelton Times” representative yesterday afternoon spent an enjoyable hour chatting with her on various topics. Although it is only a few days since Miss Le Vardo arrived in New Zealand for the first time in lieu life, she lias already found out quite a lot about this country, an«d the interviewer soon discovered himself being interviewed on matters on which the visitor thirsted for further knowledge. “ Christchurch is a. very beautiful place, and I can honestly say that T’ve already fallen love with it and also with the people,” Miss he Varde said. “ I had never thought T could feel so much at home in such a short time as T have felt since 1 arrived in Christchurch, and T appreciate the kindness of everybody verj' much indeed.” Bu: though Miss Le Varde has been able to have a good look around the city, she has been very busy since her arrival in preparing for her appearance, on Thursday night. Never before has a?i English arti6t made his or her first Australasian appearance in Christchurch, as will be the case with Miss Le Varde. She has been brought direct fi'om the Adelphi Theatre, London, where- she was playing a leading part in “ High Jinks,” to take the part of Millicerit Meebles, the wife of the Magistrate in ‘The Boy.” Curiously enough, while ’ Miss Le Varde lias played in numerous comic operas and musical companies in London theatres, including “Oh Joy,” “ Duchess of Danzig,” “Girl from Giro's,” “Girl from Kay’s,” “The Quaker GFirl,” “The Laughing Husband” and many others, she has never before taken the part in ‘ The Boy ! for which she is so specially adapted.

“I am eagerly 100-king forward toThursday night-, because I love, my part, and I am anxious to get back into harness again,” said Miss Le V arde. “I have attended ‘The Mail of the Mountains' as a member of the audience while I have been here, an. 3 I must say T like your audiences. Some harp said they are not as appreciative as the English audiences, but I do not think that is true. It must be remora bered that, the English audiences see the actors and actresses so often that they get to know them quite well, but here the audiences have not the same opportunities of seeing them so frequently. A popular actor or actress might only be able to come round once ip two years.”

Discussing theatrical conditions in I*ondon, Miss i>e Varde said that when she left, the slump which had been experienced by the theatres was practically over, and conditions were getting back to normal. One of the greatest successes in London was “The Golden Moth,’* a. musical comedy produced at the Adelphi. \nother popular play was “ Tons of Money.” Revues wero rapidly dying out. and were l>eing replaced with comic operas and musical comedy, of which many old favourites had been revived. Prices for the best seats in the London theatres had been reduced, but were still higher than the prices charged in New Zealand. The top price to see “ The Maid of the Mountains ” in London was at first, los, and then it was reduced to 12s (3d, compared with 10s in Christchurch. The discussion reverted again to Christchurch. Miss Le Varde expressing her enthusiastic appreciation of what she had seen and of the friends she has made rinoe her arrival in this city.