HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 51, 23 May 1927, Page 13

HIS MAJESTY’S

MARIAN LORD SCORES “Meet the Wife,” a comedy in three acts by Lynn Starling was presented at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening by E. J. Carroll. CAST William Reginald Collins Alice Marion Sterly .Harvey Lennox .. .. William Macaulay Victor Staunton Robert Adams Gertrude Lennox Marian Lord Doris Bellamy Helen Audiffred Gregory Brown Richard Ehlers Philip Lord J. B. Rowe Everyone should “meet the wife” during her stay in Auckland. She says -the cutest things, and the fact that she is a bigamist does not prevent her from being delightfully amusHow was she to

know when her first husband disappeared during an earthquake; he had disappeared merely to pursue an ambition to become an author? And, what is more, the husband was quite cheerful about leaving his wife. Any man would gladly leave a wife who constantly demanded a “back-

ground.” Everything in" the Lennox home had a “background”—except Mr. Lennox. It was complete with the best collection of poseurs outside a decadents’ club. There was one of those intensely modern young men, whose ties matched the curtains, and the “wife” who absolutely demanded atmosphere, which she achieved at the expense of her husband and daughter.

Into this background came Phillip Lord, celebrated author. Woman-like, Mrs. Lennox fainted when she found that she possessed two husbands, but she never lost her background. It is this triangle which makes “Meet the Wife.” Although the two men discover that they are married to the same woman, they never allow her to know it. Meanwhile she patters on, firmly believing that she is the only one who knows the whole truth of the situation. The intensely modern young man who wishes to marry Mrs. Lennox’s daughter, Doris, is responsible for much of the additional comedy.

“Meet the Wife” is another of those slick American comedies in which quick-fire repartee means success. It is a true successor to “The Best People,” though it does not possess the constant simmer of humour which runs through the first production. The situations are exploited with wonderful success. z

Miss Lord dominates “Meet the Wife.” The other figures revolve round her and provide the necessary support. She carries through a maze of amusing situations with the ease which is characteristic of her particular kind of work, and stamps her the true comedienne. Mr. Rowe gave another restful and finished performance. He exploits his situations with skill and understanding. Mr. Macaulay extracted all that was possible from his part. He acts with restraint. Miss Audiffred is still the young woman who is determined to marry the man of her choice, but she does it more neatly than in “The Best People.” Mr. Adams was all flowers and affectation as the part demanded. The effeminate young man in comedy has been mde much of by the moderns, but in this instance he is given fiat feet with which to make the character even more amusing. It is not often the American playwright evolves such a repor-ter-like reporter as that played by Mr. Ehlers. It was the most natural of any we have seen. Miss Sterly was a maid who might have graced any artistic home.