SPLENDID TALKIE AT THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18958, 2 January 1930, Page 7

SPLENDID TALKIE AT THEATRE ROYAL.

’’LAST OF MRS CHEYNEY” OPENS ITS SEASON. An outstanding talkie opened its Christchurch season at the Theatre Royal last evening, when “The Last of Mrs Cheyney” was presented. As a stage play it is, of course, well known, and is one of the many plays which the talkies can picturise with success. The plot is a sw'ift moving mixture of drama and comedy, many of the situations being delightfully exciting. To a very great, extent, the success of “The Last of Mrs Cheyney” depends on the cast, which has been chosen with a view to getting as perfect English pronounciation as possible. This effort on the part of the director has succeeded almost wholly, as there are very few times when the American accent creeps into the dialogue. The worst offender in this respect is Norma Shearer, who otherwise plays her leading part with the very greatest success. In her more dramatic moments, when her whole attention is centred on the action, she allows an occasional nasal tone to make itself heard, but the whole of her characterisation is so good that it is easy to forgive her her occasional slips. The rest of the cast is well-nigh perfect, notably Basil Rathbone, who takes the part of Lord Arthur Dilling, a sporting English peer with a strong penchant for gentle dalliance. The principal crisis in the action develops when Lord Arthur Dilling discovers that the beautiful Mrs Cheyney, a recent recruit to his social circle, is a thief. Lord Dilling had fallen in love with Mrs Cheyney, even to the extent of proposing marriage to her, but, having discovered her committing the theft, he thinks he has been fooled, and decides to use the situation for his own advantage. However, Mrs Cheyney proves that his conception of her is wrong by rousing the household instead of accepting the terms he offers. The indignant hostess and the other ladies of the household who have “taken up” Mrs Cheyney so unreservedly are persuaded to make no decision until breakfast time, and morning finds them at the table talking of prison as a fate for the masquerader. A mine is sprung by Lord Elton, an old nobleman who had become infatuated with Mrs Cheyney. He confesses that he has not only made a written proposal of marriage to her, but also has included in the letter a devastating description of every member of the house party. After bargaining for a time. Lord Elton buys back his letter for a £IO,OOO cheque, only to discover that Mrs Cheyney has destroyed it. She follows this announcement by tearing up the cheque. The opinion of everyone present turns in her favour, and in the arms of Lord Dilling she receives a kiss that signalises the last of Airs Cheyney and the beginning of Lady Dilling. It is a highly improbable ending, but leaves a satisfactory taste in one’s mouth. AH the players acted well, the best performance beside that of the two leads being Herbert Bunston’s presentation of the old and foolish Lord Elton. Starting with a gazette, the supporting programme presents an array of good things. There is a particularly good comedy made by those famous juveniles “Our Gang,” who with the aid of a menagerie of pets make merry to the delight of the audience. A male quartette in negro songs and a really clever jazz band in a trio of numbers complete a most enjoyable programme.