“ NELL GWYNNE,” STORY OF OLD DRURY, AT EVERYBODY’S.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18055, 15 January 1927, Page 6

“ NELL GWYNNE,” STORY OF OLD DRURY, AT EVERYBODY’S.

AUDIENCE TAKEN BACK TO DAYS OF STUARTS. “Oranges, Ripe Oranges,” cries pretty Nell at the door of Drury Lane, and many a theatre-goer pauses to purchase and gaze upon her peerless beauty". His Sovereign Majesty, King Charles the Second, passing with his courtiers, hears the cry, and beholds the beauty, which neither rags nor tatters can conceal. And therewith began a romance which stands among the great love stories of the world. Based on the stage play “Sweet Nell of Oid Drury,” the film production “Nell Gwynnc,” with Dorothy Gish in the title role, comes to Everybody’s Theatre on Monday next, and being just what it is, the authentic and therefore very romantic story of King Charles and his Nellie, it ranks with some of the finest contributions to the silver sheet. Few there are who raise the voice of condemnation and the finger of scorn against Nell, for, apart from the charm of her fascination, which seems to have outlived her and extended down the ages, her charity and her love for the poor and the unfortunate, to which Chelsea Hospital stands as a living testament, tend to give an aureole to the name of Nell Gwynne enjoyed by none of Charles’ other ladles. At her frailest. Sweet Nellie was a dear, lively, intriguing little creature, whose delicious wit and sparkle captured the King and crushed the disgruntled Lady Castlemaine, her chief rival for royal favour, and in the picture, there are some vastly amusing passages between Nell and her Ladyship, -which only two women, fighting for the same cause, could effect. It is a, lesson in feminine technique to see the manner in which the erstwhile orange girl disposes of her more commanding rival. There is more than comedy and romance about the story. A deep pathos enters into the plot with the death of Charles, when the other ladies of the Court turn their attention to finding other means of diversion, Nell remains true to the one and only love of her life. It shows her in a better light, and reveals, perhaps, more of the woman than even the King saw In life. "Nell Gwynne” is a picture to charm the most captious, a story which possesses every essential towards genuine entertainment, and has the added savour of reality. There is fine old world air about the production, and the dressing is bewildering in its feminine interest. In the title role, Dorothy Gish is bewitching in moments of vivacious comedy, and compelling in more dramatic scenes, in both of which the picture is rich. As King Charles, Randal Ayrton is a dashing, romantic, yet withal haughty figure, the Royal Stuart to his finger tips. They are supported by a cast of exceptionally brilliant players, all of whom, down to the last “super,” are true artists. Everybody's " Select ” Orchestra, under the direction of Mr W. J. Bellingham, F.S.M., will be heard in specially selected orchestral numbers, including the following compositions;—Overture. “ Der Freischutz ” (Weber) ; danse suite, ‘Nell Gwynne” (German); “Valse Piquant® ” (Peel); fantasia, “Mid-Summer Night's Dream” (Mendelssohn); minuet, ” Altfiamisches ” (Friedenthal) ; suites, "Divertissement” (Lalo); entr’acte, “Love's Old Sweet Song” (Molloy); selection, "Student Prince” (Friml). Patrons are urged to book their seats at the Bristol Piano Company, where the box plans are on view.