Good Plays for Irene Vanbrugh

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 22

Good Plays for Irene Vanbrugh

Lonsdale and Maugham An Interesting List An interesting repertoire of plays has been chosen for Irene 'Vanburgh and Dion Boucicault, though it is possible that Mr. Boucicault will only produce them. cabled list yesterday shows that some of the best modern pieces will be done here, as well as some of the older ones in which Miss Vanbrugh has starred at Home. “The Letter” is one of Somerset Maugham’s latest plays and was produced in London on February 24, with Gladys Cooper in the lead. The curtain rises to show a pretty woman fire shot after shot into the prostrate

body of a young’ man. The succeeding events are equally exciting. “Caroline” is another Maugham play, but in an entirely different mood. “On Approval” is the latest Frederick Lonsdale play and is considered to be the best thing he has written. Aucklanders have seen three of his plays. “Aren’t We all. . . ?” “Spring Cleaning” and “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney.” “On Approval” was written for Ronald Squires and has only four people in the cast. “Interference,” by Ronald Pertwee and Harold Dearden, was written for Sir Gerald Du Maurier. It is a mystery play and one critic wrote of it: “Interference” is the kind of play which gives the weary dramatic critic his recreation. Bigamy, poison, suicide, m blackmail and murder are only a few of the ingredients. “All the King’s Horses” is a light thing in which Miss Vanbrugh made her first appearance after returning to England from her tour abroad. She plays the part of the wife who brings her husband back to the family hearth, and does it very cleverly. “The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith” is one of Miss Vanbrugh’s earlier plays and one in which she gained considerable success. It was written by A. W. Pinero and was first produced at the Garrick Theatre, London, in 1895. SHOCKED! Melbourne Upset Over Cradle Snatchers A police officer was sent to consider the moral tone of “The Cradle Snatchers,” a play which every newspaper in Melbourne has condemned for its alleged obscenity and suggestiveness. One newspaper published a column of criticisms, including its own, and mercilessly slashed the play as something which Melbourne did not desire. As usual, the criticism lias had the effect of focussing public attention upon the show, land there was not a vacant seat in the theatre each niglil. There was a good deal of uproarious laughter, for which some of the spectators were doubtless ashamed afterwards. The play has certainly shocked the morals of Melbourne, but the box office has no reason, on the financial side at all events, to complain. What the policeman who went to report upon the show thought about it is not known yet. The Police Commissioner is waiting for his report. Under the Police Offences Act, any person who sings, writes, recites or makes use in any way of an obscene word, or by drawing, printing, or in any other way offends against decency in a public place, is liable on conviction to u heavy line.