HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 113, 3 August 1927, Page 15

HIS MAJESTY’S

“POLLY WITH A PAST” “Polly With a Past,” J. C. Williamson’s scintillating comedy, which lias been delighting patrons at His Majesty’s Theatre, played to a successful finish last night before a large attendance. Miss Renee Kelly, possessing a personality of her own, and a delightful knack of getting her audiences, was at her best in a role that gave her every opportunity. The supporting cast were all in the picture, and combined to make this happy piece one that raised very hearty laughter. To-night, “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” will be staged. “THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY” Playgoers are looking forward eagerly to this evening’s production of “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” and the booking recorded at the box office indicates that it will prove even more successful than the opening production. The character of Mrs. Cheyney gives Miss Renee Kelly exceptional opportunities both as a comedy and an emotional actress, and numbers of her admirers declare it to be her finest impersonation. No actress who has ever appeared in Auckland has achieved such an outstanding success as Miss Kelly, and in. Sydney and Melbourne each subsequent play in which she appeared was declared to be better than its predecessor. It was, therefore, a difficult matter for the management to decide whether to open the Auckland season with “Polly With a Past,” “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” or “Brown SLigar.” They are all entirely different types of plays and they give Miss Kelly opportunities to display her versatility. “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” is by that brilliant playwright, Mr. Frederick Lonsdale, and it proved a much greater success in London and Australia than his other well-known production, “Aren’t We All” and “Spring Cleaning.” Miss Kelly is supported by a particularly powerful combination of comedy and dramatic artists, including Hylton Allen, who is seen at his best as Charles, the butler, Mr. Ellis Irvine, who will make his first appearance here in the important role of Lord Dilling. Miss Emma Temple, Leslie Victor, Reg. Wykeham, Pirie Bush, Ronald Ward, Phyllis Best, Jackson Wilcox, Peggy Willoughby, Margaret Darner and Reginald Long. “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” is regarded as one of the best and most successful plays staged during the past decade. The dialogue is snappy and clever, the story is intensely interesting, and the sensational bedroom scene created a furore in London. The frocks worn by Miss Kelly are features of the production. Only five performances can be staged of “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” and on Tuesday next and two following nights “Brown Sugar” will be staged. The season will close on Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13. when “Daddy Long Legs” will be produced. Matinee performances will be staged on Saturday next of “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” and on Saturday week of “Daddy Long Legs.” The plans for the season are now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd.