RENEE KELLY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 104, 23 July 1927, Page 15

RENEE KELLY

BIG COMEDY SUCCESS The box plans for the Renee Kelly season will be opened at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., ori Tuesday next. Fresh from a wonderful success in Australia, Renee Kelly, the sparkling comedy star from London, will make her first appearance at His Majesty’s next - Thursday in the fascinating modern comedy “Polly With a Past.” This brilliant J. C. Williamson English Company has a strong band of latest London and New York comedy successes in its repertoire. To follow the opening production are “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” Frederick Lonsdale’s sensational play, which created a considerable stir in London, ‘‘Brown Sugar,” Lady Arthur’s play, which has all the dramatic qualities that add piquancy to a production of this character, and “Daddy Long Legs,” Renee Kelly’s original big London triumph. It is claimed that no J. C. Williamson star of recent years has so completely captivated theatregoers as the fascinating Renee Kelly. Apart from her wonderful histrionic ability, her gorgeous frocking is something for the ladies to enthuse over. Miss Kelly is supported by a particularly fine company which includes Hylton Allen, Ellis Irvine, Jackson Wilcox, Margaret Damar, Mary Brahm, Ronald Ward, Peggy Willoughby, Emma Temple, Reginald Wykeham, Leslie Victor, Pirie Bush, Jack Dunne, Phyllis Best, Reginald Long and Gwen Burroughs. The costuming is a feature of the comedies. Mr. Hylton Allen is the producer, and the plays will be mounted and staged in the best J. C. Williamson style. In speaking of the first performance of “Polly With a Past” in Melbourne, the “Argus” states: "A winsome face, a pleasant voice, and a Cinderella play—could a Saturday night theatregoer ask for more? But Miss Renee Kelly gave much more. There was enough to allure a great many people to the King’s, not only on Saturday, the theatregoer’s chief night, but on all the other nights of the season. Miss Kelly is an accomplished comedy actress of much charm.” Followers of theatrical doings overseas know’ of her appearances in the leading parts of successful plays in London and America. She was cordially welcomed, and her skilful work brought applause, which indicated with enthusiasm that “Polly With a Past” was certainly likely to b© Polly with a future. Already Polly has had a past on the stage, as in the play. She arrived in New York :in 1917, and in London in 1921. The comedy is one of the popular products of the Anglo-American stage alliance of George Middleton and Guy Bolton. The programme calls it a "modern play,” but, fortunately, it is not so modern that anyone fails to enjoy it. “If a popular playwright says he is modern, we are justified in smiling. And if anyone is too ‘modern’ or ‘highbrow’ to enjoy ‘Polly With a Past,’ as given in the present production. that is his or her hard luck,” stated an Australian newspaper.