PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

“THE FLAG LIEUTENANT” A gala opening well worthy of that description has been arranged for the Wanganui season of “The Flag Lieutenant,” which commences to-night at the Plaza Theatre. “A classic of tho English contemporary theatre” —such is a fitting description of “The Flag Lieutenant,” the play by Lieutenant-Colonel XV. PDrury and Major Leo Trevor, upon which the British and Dominions’ talkie starring Henry Edwards and Anna Neagle is based. ‘ The play, which is largely drawn from Lieutenant-Col-onel Drury’s personal experience in the Marine Service, was first produced at the Playhouse Theatre, London, over 20’years ago, and ran for nearly 400 performances with Cyril Maude in the part of Dicky Lascelles. During its run at the Playhouse it was given a command performance by Cyril Maude and his company before the King and Queen at Sandringham. Six years later, “The Flag Lieutenant” was revived at the Haymarket Theatre, with Godfrey Tearle in the leading role, and once again the play had a long run, this time achieving nearly 200 performances. Twelve years later came the silent film, with Henry Edwards starring as the happy-go-lucky lieutenant. It proved to be one of the most successful British pictures ever made, and was given a gala presentation at the Marble Arch Pavilion which was at tended by the King and Queen, Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles. Anna Neagle. as Hermoine, Lieutenant Dicky Lascelles’ sweetheart, is delightful. It is her fourth film. Henry Edwards in the role of Lascelles, fl-happy-go-lucky flag lieutenant, who allows the decoration he has won for gallantry to be conferred upon his more unfortunate friend rather than rob him of the greatest opportunity of his naval career, lives once again the part that was one of his greatest successes in the silent film days. Full advantage has been taken of the greater scope offered in the talki production of “The Flag Lieutenant,” introducing as it does scenes of a native insurrection in a British settlement and the acts of heroism by which a serious catastrophe is averted. Scenes of festivity aboard a warship play a prominent part in the development of the story, and special music was written for these sequences. Naval authorities gave their co-operation in approving all naval scenes, and full use was made of the opportunities for sea spectacle offered by the subject, with a complete guarantee of authenticity. Supporting parts are played by Sam Livesey, O. B. Clarence, Peter Gawthorne and Michael Hogan.