OLD-TIME FRAGRANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 15

OLD-TIME FRAGRANCE

“TRELAWNEY OF THE WELLS" SCREENED AT MAJESTIC The amorous adventures of sparkish gentility with heroines of the stage have provided a spate of themes for mediocre novels and the like; but there is one story fragrant with the conventional odours of yesterday—Pinero’s play, “Trelawney of the Wells.” Translated from stage to screen, it made its bow at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, an,d in the transference from one medium to another, it has lost none of the charm that made it so popular with the England of the ’nineties. Pinero, with his wonderful constructive ability, makes his plots hang together well, and no more forceful illustration of this craftsman’s ability has ever been given than in “Trelawney of the Wells.” The theme is an old one—the love of the scion of a straight-laced English family for an actress. But it has to be remembered that 30 years ago the prejudices against these affairs were much more malignant than they are to-day. So when Arthur Gower, grandson of Sir William Gower, exChancellor, met Rose Trelawney of the Wqlls Theatre, the young lovers had some difficulties to overcome. Arthur, becoming acquainted with the gay troupe at the Wells, began to feci that there was really' not much pleasure in playing whist every evening in a Cavendish Square mansion. As the appreciation of this point became clearer, love was declared, but unfortunately the little betrothal banquet at the theatre was interrupted by the firy-tempered grandfather. Then came the big* experiment. Rose, as preliminary training for marriage, was brought to live in Cavendish Square that she might learn something of the cloistered calm and rectitude of a well-bred English family Sir William hedged her round with irking restrictions, and finally, leaving the promise of love behind, she departed from Cavendish Square, deciding to live in the theatre again. Of course, she is called upon to endure many vicissitudes through this Bohemian choice, but in the end comes happiness, and even the uncompromising ex-Chancellor is induced to come to the premiere of “Life,” starring Rose Trelawney and Arthur Gower. Norma Shearer, as Rose, does some of the sweetest work of her career. Infinitely serene and very wistful at times, she gives a convincing study of a pleasant character. Her principal support, Ralph Forbes, is also excellent. An agreeable musical interlude was made by Miss Christina Ormiston, who sang the famous “One Fine Day,” from “Madame Butterfly.” The supporting programme included the Majestic Gazette, which showed the arrival of the Byrd Expedition in New Zealand, and the Girls* InterHouse sports. There was also a riotous comedv, “Came the Dawn.” The Majestic Orchestra played a varied programme of incidental music.