ART’S TRIUMPH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 563, 16 January 1929, Page 15

ART’S TRIUMPH

VANBRUGH-BOUCICAULT SEASON Summer in Auckland, and a sweltering audience; springtime in Devonshire, and the cool charm of a Milne comedy. It is a fine tribute to the quality of last night’s VanbrughBoucicault offering that the gifted company could transplant its audience away from oppressive heat into the restful ease of an English garden. It is also a wonderful reflection of Miss Irene Vanbrugh’s art that she is able to make “Belinda,” which is certainly not A. A. Milne at his best, a medium for a characteristically flawless performance. Every moment and every inflection furnish evidence that Miss Vanbrugh lias lost none of the remarkable powers that have endeared her to New Zealand audiences. The welcome given her on I sr first appearance last night was as warm as that accorded at the opening performance; and it ?s characteristic of the accomplished player, versed in the refinements of her art, that there was none of the usual mincing genuflection as an answer to the tribute. Her answer, instead, was one of those captivating performances that have made the name of Vanbrugh a synonym for a peculiar charm and lustre. Mr. Dion Boucicault is not so happily cast. It is perfectly plain that the piece was constructed for Miss Vanbrugh; and Mr. Boucicault is compelled to subordinate his personality to the expression of a queer and rather unreal sort of caricature. Mr. Baxter. the statistical philanderer, has a “dry” part. That Mr. Boucicault is able to invest it with such quietly effective by-xolay is perhaps the best tribute that can be •paid him. Polished work is accomplished by the other members of the small cast in “Belinda.” But all the players are a foil for the brilliance of the central figure, Belinda herself. Such is the merit of the performance, that it must inspire pleasant expectations of the good things to follow. Lonsdale’s “On Approval” will be presented to-morrow. Alterations have had to be made to the programme for the season, owing to the continued illness of two members of the company. The production of “The High Road” will be postponed and on Monday next and two following evenings “Nell O’ New Orleans” will be revived. On Thursday, January 24, and two following nights, “Mr. Pim Passes By” will be revived, and it will be followed by “All the King’s Horses,” “The High Road,” “Caroline” and “Aren’t We All.” Those who have reserved seats for “The High Road” may have their money refunded or their seats transferred to “The High Road” when it is ultimately staged. DIXIELAND CABARET The Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier will be the scene of another of those pleasant dances this evening. The cool surroundings and excellent dancing floor ensure a happy time. Music will be dispensed by the Dixieland Dance Band under Mr. H. Neilson.