HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 12

HIS MAJESTY’S

“ABIE’S IRISH ROSE” To-night at His Majesty’s Theatre and for a short season, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., by arrangement with Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr. John Fuller, present what is described as the “world’s record laugh,” .““Abie’s Irish Rose.” The play is now in its fifth year at the Republic Theatre. New York, and holds the world’s record for any play in any one theatre. The previous best was “Chu Chin Chow" in London, where it was played for 2238 performances. Lovers of a beautiful love story with simple folk as the characters do not often see a play such as this. The dialogue is graced with a sparkle of spontaneous humour, or with delicate shades of pathos. The keynote of “Abie’s Irish Rose” is tolerance of the other fellow’s creed and caste. Underneath the love and laughter in this comedy like a silver thread runs the gospel of tolerance. The efforts of Father Whelan and Rabbi Samuels to compose the differences between the proud old Jew'

father-in-law and Rosie’s peppery - tempered Irish dad teach this lesson all through the piece. The complications arising out of the mix-up of the Murphys, Cohens, Levys and the rest of them are screamingly humorous. The cast consists of artists who have all appeared in their parts over 1,000 times. The principals of the company are Grace Stafford, George Duryea, John McCabe, Bertha Walden, Alfred Gordon, Henry Mortimer, Jack Trainor and David Wall. The critic of “Smith’s Weekly,” speaking of the play during its record Sydney run, says:—“lf laughter is a tonic, ‘Abie’s Irish Rose’ is a whole medicine-chest.” The box plans for six nights and two matinees are at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., and day sale tickets are obtainable at His Majesty’s Theatre confectionery stall.