“ROOKERY NOOK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 413, 23 July 1928, Page 14

“ROOKERY NOOK”

HIS MAJESTY S ON WEDNESDAY

The interest in the approaching season of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New English Comedy Co., which begins at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday evening next, when Ben Travers brilliantly clever and highly amusing farce-comedy “Rookery Nook” is to be staged here for the first time, was manifested this morning at Lewis Eady’s when there was a large demand for seats. Unfortunately, owing to the brevity of the New Zealand tour, the Auckland season must necessarily be limited to 12 nights, but during that period the company will be presented in its entire repertoire. Following “Rookery Nook,” which is to be staged for four performances, “A Cuckoo in the Nest” will be staked and the season will close with four representations of “Thark.” “Rookery Nook” is said to be intensively humourous, and it also unfolds a particularly good story. In addition to the London artists, all of whom were specially engaged for the parts they interpret, the company includes Miss Bonalds Warne, the young Australian actress, who achieved an outstanding triumph as the “pyjama girl” in “Rookery Nook.” One of the outstanding characterisations in “Rookery Nook” is said to be that presented by Miss Minnie Rayner as Mrs. Leverett. “Merely to se her walk across the stage,” wrote a critic recently, “and open the front door was a joy; but when it came to her going up and down the stairs with a breakfast tray, the audience gave way to peals and shrieks of laughter.”

Mr. Hastings Lynn and Mr. Basil Radford are the two principal male comedians, and Mr. Cyril Vernon and Leslie Victor also materiaaly add 'to the success of “Rookery Nook” by their excellent characterisations. Miss Jane Comfort, Miss Helene Simon and Miss Beth Mackey are others who will make their initial appearance here on Wednesday. The cast also includes Mr. Victor Fitzherbert and Miss Nellie Mortyne.