THE CIVIC THEATRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17992, 10 April 1930, Page 3

THE CIVIC THEATRE.

LAST OF MRS CHEYNEY.”

BRILLIANT SOPHISTICATED PLAY.

Quite ttie most delightful comedydrama given us by the talkies, “The Last of Mrs Cheyney,” was screened at the Civic Theatre last night, before an audience that tilled every corner of the building. As a stage play “The Last of Mrs Cheyney”'was produced in New Zealand some years ago by a company headed by Renee Kelly, when its brilliant dialogue and ultra-modern sophistication delighted playgoers. In the talkie version all the charm of the play is retained. The east is headed by Norma Shearer, whose work is almost beyond criticism, and she is supported by" an excellent cast, including Basil Rathbone, an English actor who has become a matinee idol in America, and who is delightfully polished as the sophisticated Lord Billing; George Barraud, who was leading' man lo Paulino Frederick in New Zealand some years ago; Maude Turner, Herbert Buns Lon, and others. And in this essentially English comedy of life with the smart set it is particularly gratitying lo hear the English language. “The East of Mrs Cheyney” tells a story of a lady adventurer who poses as a wealthy Australian widow and manoeuvres her way into the upper crust of English society. Her retinue of polished servants ar.e, in reality, a gang of thieves —the perfect butler, her constant inspiration. Their chance of successful looting depends entirely on the poise, beauty and skill of “the charming Mrs Cheyney.” Not only the young bloods lay their hearts at her pretty feet; old Lord Elton, a perfect gentleman, but one not quite at home with the ladies, particularly young charmers, writes his proposal at a week-end country house party. That night Mrs Webley’s expensive pearls disappear, and 1 lie .thief is abefut lo throw them to her “butler,” who iswaiting in the garden below, when voung Lord Hilling catches her by the hand and leads her hack lo her room. Furious lo discover that the woman he oves, but who for Ills own sake has ,rented him with frigid aloofness, is merely a crook, he foolishly vows lo stay in her room as the price, of his silence; but she loves him, and rather than see him descend to her level she gives the alarm. The motet interesting and amusing complications follow, making “The Last of Mrs Cheyney" delightful entertainment.