HIS MAJESTY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 300, 10 March 1928, Page 15

HIS MAJESTY’S

“NOBODY’S WIDOW” TO-NIGHT To-night at His Majesty’s Theatre patrons will have the pleasure of seeing W. J. C. Barr’s New English Comedy Company in Avery Hopwood’s sparkling and romantic London comedy triumph, “Nobody’s Widow.” The sole Australian rights of this famous comedy were procured by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., when it was achieving remarkable success at the Lyceum Theatre, London, where it ran for 365 consecutive nights. The author, Avery Hopwood, has built up his story round a rather original idea —the idea of an estranged married couple accidentally meeting at a house party at Palm Beach, after what was expected to be a permanent separation, the lady passing herself off as a widow. This chance meeting gives rise to some embarrassing incidents, the piquancy of which is emphasised by the importance of keeping the hostess and her friends in ignorance of the couple's x*elationship. The difficulty of maintaining the illusion is increased by the husband’s impassioned declaration of love and the persistence of his efforts to bring about a reconciliation. Very reluctantly the lady yields, but just when everything is nicely settled an incident occurs that threatens the worst consequences. The lively hostess, bored by the inanities of a slowwitted devotee, induces Roxana’s husband, the Duke of Moreland —whom she supposes to be a bachelor —to join her at a private supper, and Roxana, breaking in at a compromising moment, there follows, naturally, a mighty row. The subsequent events are of a lively and exhilarating nature. Featured in the cast are Mr. Eric Harrison, a distinguished Englisn actor, who played in the original London production; Miss Sybil Atholwood, a daughter of that famous English actor, James B. Atholwood; Miss Verna Bain, Australia’s premiere dansenuse, who, by the way, wears some handsome French gowns in her introduced dancing specialities; and Mr. Dan Flood, who will be remembered for his artistic pianologues with the Humphrey Bishop Company. The box plan will be open at His Majesty's Arcade Sweet Store.