Farewell Tour

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 16

Farewell Tour

Irene Vanbrugh Makes Third Visit to N.Z. “SIMPLY COULDN’T RETIRE” , Two of England’s most distinguished I stage folk, Irene Vanbrugh and Dion j Boucicault, returned to New Zealand by j the Aorangi last evening, j “Yes,' I'm afraid this will be my farewell tour,” said Miss Vanbrugh. “That is unless I can find a really good play with which I can tour the world, but it must be a really good one.” “How I love New Zealand,” continued this very charming actress. “I don't say that because it is the thing to say. You know this is my third tour of the Dominion, and I still have wonderful memories of my previous visits.” Sitting on the deck of the Aorangi last evening, Miss Vanbrugh talked of many things—the charm of returning to an overseas England, plays of the moment, the wonderful reception she and her husband, Mr. Boucicault, had received in Australia, the “talkies,” and lots about their friends in London. “No, I do not intend to retire from the stage when I return to London.” laughed Miss Vanbrugh. “I simply couldn’t do it." She hopes, when she returns, to find some new plays which will suit her and it is possible that some of her friends, among whom are Sir James Barrie, A. A. Milne, Bernard Shaw and Frederick Lonsdaje, may have some ready for her. “Plays are altering,” commented Miss Vanbrugh. “I think people are growing tired of ‘crook’ drama and the very, very ‘moderns.' Think of ‘Marigold,’ a sweet, sentimental play which has had a long run in London. The critics said that it would not be a success. We find that simple plays are the most charming. Yes, I am fond of Lonsdale. His work sparkles. I do not think that it will live, but it is most amusing and belongs to to-day. Noel Coward is a. j very brilliant young man and I think some day that he will write something 1 worth while.” | The difficulty nowadays is to get j good plays, said Miss Vanbrugh, when I talking of the modern playwrights. Their work had not the “body” of the men. “Yes, I may go into the ’talkies,’ '* i she continued. “I do not think they will ever do away with the play, but they i will be a wonderful recording vehicle ; for great people and important events. The 'talkies’ give one a real impression | of the person.” Miss Vanbrugh said that there is an increasing desire on the part of London stage stars to visit Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Boucicault has been responsible for this in a way. He has always talked most enthusiastically of his seasons on this side, but he has always told them that they must-bring their very best and a good repertory of plays. Miss Vanbrugh has a famous record on the English stage, and her place in j “Who's Who on the Stage” fills many j columns. Writers like Barrie and I Milne have written many of their plays for her and she numbers among her | friends most of the well-known literary i and artistic men and women in London to-day. This evening Miss Vanbrugh will i appear in “Belinda” at His Majesty’s ; Theatre. This was originally written ! for her by Milne. During the Auck- ! land season she hopes to appear in a !si cV-tal performance of “Rosalind.” | which Sir James Barrie specially wrote for her, l i