‘MIS' NELL'

Evening Star, Issue 20132, 23 March 1929, Page 8

‘MIS ' N ELL '

COMEDY OF MOONSHINE AND MADNESS THE VANBRUGH TOUCH “ A comedy of moonshine, madness, and make-believe ” was how the programme described ‘ Mis’ Nell of New Orleans,’ a three-act play by Laurence Eyre, which was staged last night by the Vanbrugh-Boucicaulfc Company at His Majesty’s Theatre. In striking contrast to the plays usually portrayed by these accomplished artists, adhering .more or less to probabilities, ‘ Mis’ Nell ’ is more in the nature of a phantasy, and cannot be classed aitogctbei as a soundly-constructed play.. But the art of Miss Vanbrugh in particular, of Mr Boucicault, and of other members of the cast whisked the action into a congenial atmosphere, and it was' not long before the audience was charmed and beguiled. THE CAST. Nellie Daventry Irene Vanbrugh Delphine Falaise ...... Rowena Ronald Melanie Beatrice Fischer Zephyrino Pressy Preston Angeliquo Ejjecn Morris Georges Durand J. B. Rowe Felix Durand Ronald Ward line’ Boz Reginald Wykcham Pere Clamont Dion Boucicault

The chief attraction of ‘ Mis’ Nell ’ is that it has a sterling acting part for Miss Vanbrugh, who is seen at her best, which may be accounted high praise. Jn patches ‘ Mis’ Nell ’is quite serious and romantic, picturesque and poetic ; yet at times the playgoer may be pardoned for speculating as to how it would really fare if treated by a less skilful cast. The “Miss Nell” of the play is Nellie Daventry, who, after a long absence in Paris, returns to her home in New Orleans, a charming setting of the typical colonial mansion, with its French window's, balconies, and profusion of trailing roses. Here the memories of her girlhood are aroused. Though it seems at first that she has returned to slip genially into the ease of advancing age, it is soon evident she has a much more resolute purpose. She has a score to settle with her old lover, Georges Durand, who broke off their engagement on the actual morning of the day fixed for the wedding many years before. It is through the fact that her niece has become engaged to the son of Durand that she is able to fulfil her desire. Her plan works successfully, and checkmates the elder Durand in his opposition to the wedding. Miss Vanbrugh’s Nellie Daventry was a splendidly-conceived and artistically portrayed character, and she was delightful in her airs and graces as an artful schemer. Her exposition of the triumph of woman’s wit and daring in a battle with mere men was complete to the merest detail, while in the emotional scones she showed a striking sense of proportion. First she astonished her lover when she walked out haltingly as the elderly aunt, grey-haired and spectacled, and then she astonished him still more when she threw off this disguise and became, for the purposes of her plot, the prospective bride of the earlier romance, light-hearted, gay, and actually ensnaring his son by her charm at the time when this youth is rebelliously angry because of his quarrel with Iris father and the niece. Merry, coquettish, and romantic in turn. Miss Vanbrugh had an irresistible, fund of vivacious humour. Altogether, she gave a brilliant performance.

Cast as Fere Clement, Air Boucicault delineated with finished art the genial humour of the kindly 7 priest. It was a study 7 worthy 7 of this experienced and polished actor. The gripping scene at the dinner table in the old garden, during which Pore Clement told the story of his spare in the incident that drove Nellie Daventry from her lover, was rounded off to perfection by a graphic recital of one event by this extremely capable exponent of old men parts. In lighten- vein he was to the letter Ihe cheerful fussy 7 little person who intended to “ make no disturb.” Mr J. B. Rowe did not have an easy task in portraying the character of Georges Durant, but be pictured it admirably. The dramatist has drawn him as a, courtly Frenchman of the old school, unbending in his prejudices, but none the Jess courteous, and yet permits him to descend to the trick of trumping up a, false charge against his own son with the object of breaking off the engagement with Miss Daventry’s niece. Air Ronald Ward did all that was required of him as helix Daventry 7 . He was the ardent wooer, and the rebellions son who meant well. but who muddled things 'badly. Aliss Rowena Ronald also rose to the occasion as Delpliine. A young lady with a dramatic sense and a. pleasing voice, she was a charming Deiphinq, and in one or two exacting scenes with Aliss Vanbrugh she was sufficiently strong to win her share of the honours of the evening. The other memners of the company 7 filled their parts well, and the introduction of several negro characters presented an opportunity for the singing from the wings of several plantation numbers which harmonised prettily. ATr Boucicanlt’s production preserves the old-world charm and pictnresqueness of the New Orleans setting, with, the quaint and leisurely negro servants and the festal note of the mardi gras celebrations. ‘Alls’ Nell’ will be staged again to-night. ‘BELINDA’ ON MONDAY.

Those who attend the performances of ‘ Belinda ’ on Monday evening, and * Mr Pirn,’ which is to follow it as the final play, will bo assured of taking away with them the impression of Miss Vanbrugh and Mr Boueicanlt at their very best. ‘ Belinda ’ will bo played for one night only, and is a joyous creation of that prince of gentle humourists, A. A. Milne. Miss Vanbrugh plays the part of the frivolous and flirtatious “widow,” with her long-lost husband, and a couple of importunate wooers to add zest and attractiveness to the “ eternal triangle*” As Belinda Tremayne, Miss Vanbrugh essays one of her favourite and most congenial roles. Mr Boueicanlt is cast as the serious-minded old man who lalls in love with the pseudo-widow, subsequently succumbs to the beauty ol the daughter (Miss Bowen a Ronald)with stirring stories of his experiences with the mysterious Air Robinson —-and who later forgets them both. Ronald Ward, as a poetic individual with a flail' for romance, plays one ol his best parts; and Miss Ronald as Belindas charming daughter, has ample opportunity to. display her undoubted talents. Mr J. B. Rowe, as the longlost husband who manages to straighten the tangle at the end, lias a role to his liking. Miss Annie Saker, as the maid Betty, is said to play her part most capably. -On Tuesday night ‘ Belinda ’ will give place to ‘ Mr" Pim Passes By,’ in which Mr Boucicault will play his original role.