“NELL O’ NEW ORLEANS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 14

“NELL O’ NEW ORLEANS”

BOUCICAULT’S LAST PLAY “All the King's Horses” was played by the Vanbrugh-Boucicault combination last evening to an enthusiastic house, the two principals giving their splendid portrayal of difficult parts. This evening and to-morrow evening will signalise the last two appearances in Auckland of Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr. Dion Boucicault, and for these two notable occasions the J. C. Williamson, Btd., management will present them in the delicious comedy-drama,

“Nell o’ New Orleans,” in which both Miss Vanbrugh and Mr. Boucicault receive special opportunities for the display of their artistry. There were never two more popular or beloved artists than Miss Vanbrugh and Mr. Boucicault, and it is really a calamity to know that we are never to enjoy them again. They have given playgoers much pleasure in a number of high-class comedies and dramas, but probably “Nell o’ New Orleans” is one of the best and most entertaining plays in their wonderful and very large repertoire. Lawrence Lyre’s comedy of “Moonshine, madness and makebelieve” was specially created for Miss Vanbrugh and Mr. Boucicault and in it they have achieved some of their best triumphs in England, Australia and Nevtf Zealand. The character of Nelly La veil try, with its demands for subtlety and versatility of art, is perfectly suited to Miss Vanbrugh’s numerous accomplishments, and throughout the piece she casts her spell over her audience, until they really live the part with her. Mr. Boucicault as the old padre, who loved young Nell and who loves her still, “as a man loves an angel,” is at his best in the lighter moments and he rises to great heights in the big dramatic moment at the end of the second act. Others in the cast are Rowena Fonald, Ronald Ward. J. B. Rowe, Reginald Wykeham, Beatrice Fischer, Pressy Preston and Eileen Morris. “Nell o* New Orleans” will be staged on the same complete scale which proved one of its features when it was presented in the early part of the season.

Advice has been received by Cinema Art Films that the title of the British International picture, “The Silver Rosary,” directed by the eminent director, Dennison Clift, and starring Lilian Rich and John Stewart, has been changed to “The Glory Hole.” Twentyphotographers were utilised in photographing the big shipwreck scene in this production, and it is said that the result obtained constitutes one of the most spectacular and realistic dramaticsrenesyet taken of this type.