MARGARET BANNERMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 14

MARGARET BANNERMAN

AT HIS MAJESTY’S NEXT WEEK Of all the English actresses who have visited the Dominions none have scored anything like the success which was won in Sydney and Melbourne by Miss Margaret Bannerman, who is to bo introduced by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. to playgoers at Mis Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, October 3. Miss Bannerman’s reputation in England and America is such as to make her first appearance an event of outstanding interest. A charming and highly intellectual woman, her views on stage matters are always listened to with great interest. Miss Bannerman was born in Canada where she was educated in a convent at Halifax. She made her first ap-

pearance on the stage in London In 1915, when she scored a triumph, and during the patten years she has been the idol of London playgoers. During the approaching season, Miss Bannerman, together with Mr. Anthony Prinsep’s London Company, will appear in four of her best and most successful plays, beginning

with Walter Hackett’s much-discussed comedy-drama, "Other Men’s Wives,” which will be followed by "Our Betters,” Somerset Maughan’s famous play, "Sexes and Sevens,” and "Diplomacy.”

Walter Hackett wrote "Other Men’s Wives” specially for Miss Bannerman. and he has provided the brilliant English actress with a part in which she can display her genius at its very best, both as a comedy and a dramatic artist.

Playgoers will see each of the productions as .they were staged during their record runs in London, where they were presented under the direction of Mr. Anthony Prinsep, who is bringing Miss Bannerman and the company associated with her to New Zealand.

The box plans will be opened at Lewis Lady, Ltd. on Monday, October 1.

EMPRESS “THE SECRET HOUR” Pola Negri is the star in “tfhe Secret Hour,” to be shown at the Empress Theatre this evening. She plays the role of Annie, who is tired of being a waitress. Tony, 60 years old, a wealthy orange grower, is tired of being a bachelor. He goes to the city, hoping to find a wife, ignoring the neighbourhood girls because all of them have fallen for the love-making of his handsome foreman, Joe. Tojy sees Annie in a spaghetti restaurant, and falls in love at first sight. Too bashful to inquire her name, he notes the number she wears on her uniform, and later persuades Joe to write a proposal of marriage to her. '‘Smiling at Trouble,” with Lefty Flynn, is the second attraction. WEST END “THE OPENING NIGHT” An amusing comedy of a little chorus girl in search of a husband, entitled “Love Hungry,” is now showing at the West End Theatre, with Lois Moran in the leading role. Lois Moran, as Joan Robinson, is the comely daughter of Robert Robinson, a New York wage-earner, who has spent thirty years in the employ of the Consolidated Publishing Company. Joan, as a discouraged chorus girl, comes home to find Lawrence Gray, as Tom Harvey, occupying a room in the mansion” of the Robinsons. With Joan is Marjorie Beebe, as Mamie Potts, a crafty little golddigger eager to “get on” in the world. “The Opening Night,” a dramatic story starring Claire Windsor, is the second attraction.