“A CUCKOO IN THE NEST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 419, 30 July 1928, Page 15

“A CUCKOO IN THE NEST”

HIS MAJESTY’S TO-NIGHT This evening at His Majesty’s Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New English Comedy Company, which has made itself immensely popular in

“Rookery Nook,” will stage for the first time her© Ben Travers’s delightfully humorous and very original farce-comedy, “The Cuckoo in the Nest,” which created something approaching a sensation in Sydney, where it enjoyed a record run. That “A Cuckoo in the Nest” is a. comedy right out of th© ordinary is proved by the fact that it has been successful wherever it has been staged. Those who have read Ben Travers’s book, and there are few readers who have not, will wish to see the play, and during its season here of - four nights the theatre is certain to be taxed to its capacity. The funniest situation in the play is, of course, the scene at the Stag and Hunt inm There it is discovered that there is only one bedroom available, and through a series of misunderstandings, permitted mainly because of the fear of Peter Wykeham and Mrs. Margaret Hickett of the landlady, they are mistaken fo,r husband and wife, and compelled to spend the night in this room. The cleverness of the dramatist is displayed by the fact tha tthe situation never becomes offensive, only screamingly humorous. Mr. Hastings Lynft is

said to excel himself as Peter Wykeham. He gave us a taste of his rare talents in “Rookery Nook,” and he is already an established favourite with Aucklanders. So is Miss Minnie Rayner, who will appear this evening as Mrs. Spoker, landlady of the Stag and Hunt. Miss Helene Simon is said to be delightful as Margaret Hickett, in which part she scored an outstanding success in Australia. Mr. Cyril Vernon, it is said, gives one of the finest characterisations in th© as Major Bone. Miss Willa Lyndberg, as Suzette, and Mr. Willie Clifton, as Alfred, will make their first appearance in New Zealand this evening. Others in the cast are Basil Radford, Jane Comfort, Leslie Victor, Victor Fitzherbert, Beth Mackey, Alec Alves and Nellie Mortyne. Only four performances of “A Cuckoo in the Nest” can be staged, and on Friday next “Thark” will be played.

Old Mexico furnished colourful background for many scenes in Fox Films’s new production of “Carmen,” made by Raoul Walsh, with Victor McLaglen, Dolores Del Rio and Don Alvarado in the principal roles. One of the thrilling features of “Loves of Carmen” is a bull fight. These spectacular sporting events are staged with great pomp and to obtain the genuine atmosphere of the occasion, Fox Films executives ordered the company to Old Mexico during the fighting season. The immense arena at Juarex, near the United States line, was the spot chosen and it was here that Victor McLaglen fought his bull. The thousands of spectators were very enthusaistic over the unexpected treat of seeing “movies” made, and entered into the fun with zest. The giant Fox star was applauded to the echo for his adroit use of the fighting tools, and was actually offered a contract to remain and continue as a professional matador. “Loves of Carmen” is now showing at th© Strand Theatre, preceded by a gorgeous operatic x^rologue.