“ROOKERY NOOK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 15

“ROOKERY NOOK”

TO-MORROW AT HIS MAJESTY’S

To-morrow night at His Majesty’s Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present for the first time in New Zealand the new English comedy company in Ben Travers’ screamingly humourous farce comedy, “Rookery Nook,” which owing to the brevity of the season can be staged for foTir performances only. On Monday next the company will stage “A Cuckoo in the Nest,” and the last four nights of the season will be devoted to “Thark,” which recently attracted record audiences in Melbourne. The booking is excellent for each production, and it seems likely that the company will enjoy a very successful season. The initial performance of “Rookery Nook” will present for the first time hero the brilliant young Australian actress, Miss Donalda Warne, who until quite recently was a member of the-bal-let attached to the “Girl Friend” Co. Miss Beth Mackey, another young Australian who has scored a triumph in “Rookery Nook,” is a daugther of Lady Mackey, the wife of the late Speaker of the House of Assembly in Victoria. Miss Minnie Rayner, who is one of London’s foremost comedy artists, has been on the stage for over fifty years. Mr. Hastings Lynn, who takes the leading comedy part in “Rookery Nook,” was rehearsed in the part by Mr. Ben Travers, the author of the play. Mr. Basil Radford’s appearance in “Rookery Nook” will be hailed with delight by playgoers, as Aucklanders have pleasurable memories of his good work as the secret service agent in “The Ghost Train.” Cyril Vernon, Jane Comfort. Helene Simon, Nellie Mortyne, Leslie Victor and Victor Fitzherbert are others who have assisted to make the three Ben Travers’ comedies the most successful staged in Australia during recent years. The box plans are at Lewis, Eady, Ltd. There will be an afternoon performance on Saturday next.

Mae Busch has been assigned the leading feminine role in “While the City Sleeps,” Lon Chaney’s starring production now being made. Miss Busch previously played opposite Chaney in “The Unholy Three.” The supporting cast includes Anita Page, Polly Moran, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Richard Carle, Eddie Kane and Carroll Nye.