Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 12 October 1928, Unnumbered Page

Annotations of Annabel

f ) T)EAREST: A pleasant atmosphere of youth and courtesy prevailed in the WelConcert Chamber last week, the occasion being the presentation of "A Pair of Silk Stockings" in aid of an Assembly Hall for the Marsden School, when a discriminating and responsive audience wandered along in support of so popular a cause. Presentation of the play by wellknown amateurs was interesting, but uneven. The extremely amusing rehearsal scene in the first act, for instance, badly wanted tightening up and lacked cohesion. It is really so divertingly idiotic that ’twas a pity its possibilities were not more fully exploited. Of the actors Mr. Morris Dunkley easily carried away the palm. His w . finished work, his stage method admirable, and his interpretation of the lovelorn and unlucky Sam comparing favourably with those of many a bright light in the theatrical firmament who have essayed the roie. As the charming Molly Thornhill, supremely well done here some years back by the most delightful comedy actress of the English stage, Miss Mary Cooley did not quite come up to the expectations that invariably greet this talented young amateur. Admittedly the light touch and vivacious handling of a social comedy role are difficult of achievement; and Miss Cooley, despite delightful quality of voice, attractive inftonation, and dramatic flair, did not succeed altogether in getting over to the audience. All admiration goes to Miss Dorothy Hadfield for her graceful presentation of Irene Maitland. Her acting was characterised by an unstudied grace and charm, her enunciation was effortless and clear; the whole conception proving an immediate and charming’ success. Mr. Pope proved himself a breezy and forceful wooer, and was entirely natural as the wandering guest who, arriving unexpectedly, storms his. own bedroom window with disastrous result;; Mr. O. N. Gillespie was extremely clever and always in the picture; Miss Hall competent as the harassed hostess; while Miss Alison Kirkcaldie, looking a ‘dainty "regue in porcelain," made an attractive ingenue, acting with conviction and spirit in the midnight encounter, the while, in flower-embroidered black kimono, she looked like a coloured etching of a lady from lotus-land. During welcome interregnum be-. tween one activity and another, time was found to admire a new shipment of "the goods," in. this case some admirably designed stuffs for evening wraps, scarves and the rest. There is one glory of georgette, another of brocade; two. having been combined in quite startling loveliness of rose-colour and jade and flame, in. which is enmeshed the popular golden gleam of the moment. Surrounded with fringe of the right and

lovely length, the whole would become such a shawl of allure as never Was on sea or land. Quite easy to fashion, too, if one had the timeand the money. Bright, touring Australia, writes: "We -went to hear ‘The Desert Song,’ knowing nothing about it, and were greatly ‘intreeged’ with the Red Shadow, the acting’ very fine indeed, and singing delightful, this actor ‘getting over’ perfectly. Even his singing was different in the dual impersonation, and he received a great ovation from the audience. He is Lance Fairfax, once a Wellington law student whom you knew, now a very fine artist indeed, and an immense favourite on the wireless as well. Another New Zealander scoring a success in Pirie Bush, acting with Margaret Bannerman in ‘Other Men’s Wives’: quite excellent in the part, which he got when the leading man deserted.’’ Experimenting in the lightest of literature, I have read portion of "But-Gentlemen Marry Brunettes." Only portion, I admit, as I fainted by the wayside; discovering that a little of this particular mixture of naivete, suggestiveness and audacity, though immensely amusing for a time, goes quite a long way. In Miss Loos’s earlier success, with its engaging assumption of frankness, eccentrie spelling and phraseology, unembarrassed cupidity and risque situations, she struck a note of originality and was vastly fresh and entertaining. Obviously, however, in her second attempt she fails to recapture that "first, fine, careless rapture," this sequel, even more than most, being something in the nature of a calamity. The illustrative drawings, too, seem to have lost in vivacious drollery; and it would seem that the enterprising and acquisitive Lorelei should have been left to rest upon those laurels she undoubtedly grabbed in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." "Tis the Age of Innocence; youth. good Iuck to it, scoring all the time in this year of grace. Late exemplification is found in perfection of toy village in Hollywood, created in utmost luxury of detail for Gloria Lloyd by Harold, her father, notable comedian of the films. Complete and precious is the miniaturc domain, its boudoirs without blemish, lawns and iych gates and stables and all. Pietures and pergolas are there, everything to create rapture in the heart of a child. One imagines the wellbeloved Gloria holding high revel in a land of faery made possible by this darling thought of Himself, as Mr. Sean O’Casey might say, in thus materialising some slender rainbow dream of fleeting baby years.: Unbidden and a propos comes a verse of Swinburne :-_ If the golden-crested wren Were a nightingale-why, then, Something seen and heard of men Might be half as sweet as when Laughs a child of seven. Your

ANNABEL

LEE