RENEE KELLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 103, 22 July 1927, Page 15

RENEE KELLY

“POLLY WITH A PAST” The next J. C. Williamson attraction at His Majesty’s Theatre is Renee Kelly in “Polly With a Past.” Speaking of the opening performance in Melbourne, the “Age” says: “One of the brightest comedies seen in Melbourne for a long time is ‘Polly With a Past,’ which opened at the King’s Theatre on Saturday last. It has introduced to us an attractive and talented leading lady in Miss Renee Kelly. Seldom has a visiting artist made a better impression. Miss Kelly must have felt gratified and encouraged at the ovation she received at the conclusion of the opening performance. “Polly With a Past” is the story of a clergyman’s daughter, who is forced by adverse circumstances to take a position as a parlourmaid. By a strange stroke of fate, she is induced to pose as a French adventuress in order that Rex Van Zile may excite the jealousy of the girl he wants to marry. Rex, a very mild young man, is horrified at the idea of being involved with a lady of notorious character. His efforts are extremely amusing. The plan succeeds to the extent that it makes the prudish Myrtle furiously jealous, but it also shows Rex that his

“ideal” has a nasty temper. Further complications follow when the young man falls in love with the girl who is supposed to have led him from the straight and narrow path. The consternation of the Van Zile family provides another diverting scene. It requires a great deal of explanation to convince them that Paulette is onlv Polly.

Miss Kelly’s personal charm makes her an ideal Polly. It does not matter whether she is waiting at table or acting the part of the foreign vampire at fashionable Long Island—she is always perfectly natural. What more could be asked of any actress?

Having strong humorous and sentimental appeal, without being the least bit mawkish, “Polly With a Past” should be a pronounced box office success. The box plans for five performances open on Tuesday next at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd. Other productions during the season will be ' The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” “Brown Sugar” and ‘ Daddy Long-Legs.”