THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17347, 30 September 1924, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

VANBRUGH-BOUCICAT7LT SEASON. “ AREN’T WE ALL? ” Sir Arthur Ming Pinero s tragedy. “The Second Airs Tanqueray,” was presented for the last time by Aliss Irene Vanbrugh, Air Dion Boucicault and their company to a full houfce at the Theatre Royal last night. To-night and on the four following evenings Miss Irene Vanbrugh, Air Dion Boucicault and their company will present Frederick Lonsdale’s very successful and clever comedy, “ Aren t We All?” which has everyhewere proved the most successful comedy in the magnificent repertoire of the company. Although it was played for seven performances in Wellington so great was its success there that hundreds were nightly unable to obtain admission to the huge auditorium of the Giand Opera House, which has a seating capacity of over 2000. There is an honest straight forward charm about good comedy which is not present in othe** forms of the dramatic art though the latter may, and do, touch the emotions to a finer issue. Of no play staged during the present century has this quality of affording unmixed pleasure been more marked than in the case' of Frederick Lonsdale's brilliant comedy, “Aren’t We All?” Throughout the play, the dialogue, it is said, sparkles without being artificial, the situations intrigue without offending, and the philosophy is worldly without being cynical. The whole story hinges on a husband’s small and temporary lapse from constancy and the unfortunate cohsequence following its discovery by his wife. Air Boucicault, it is said, simply lives the part of Lord Grenliam. Few more fascinating characters have been presented on the stage than that of the debonnair, worldlv-wise old nobleman. who declines to admit he is old. With consummate skill he heals the breach between his son and his daughter-in-law, and then, when he is prepared to receive congratulations on a diplomatic triumph, he falls a victim to the woman whose character and motives he imagines he knows so well. Only the instincts of a thorough sportsman and a. keen sense of humour, minimise the force of the blow. The part of Lady Erin ton. who frankly hopes that Lord Grenham will marry her, gives Aliss Vanbrugh special opportunities for the display of her genius as a comedy actress, and her characterisation is said to be perfectly delightful. Others who are congenially cast are Misses Janet Eccles, Lena Halliday and Ethel Welleslev, also Messrs Martin Walker, Reginald AYvkeham, Pirie Bush, George Conyngham and Paul Longuet. The stage furnishing and the general mounting of the production received special notices from critics in Sydney. The plans are at the Bristol Piano Company.