South Yorkshire Times, Friday, December 30th, 1932
Peg O’ My Heart.
Miss Kathleen O’Dare.
Miss O’Dare, who during these last few days has captured the hearts of the Hippodrome patrons with a charming portrayal of the title role “Peg o’ my heart”, is Irish by name and by nature, but was born at Brighton.
After receiving education at Richmond, in Surrey, she became associated with the stage in musical comedy at Shaftesbury, London, with Daly’s company. Later she toured the British Isles with the same company, but after three years entered straight drama, her first role been Peg, and when she completes her performances on Saturday night she will have played that part 348 times. The first performances were with Cecil Baths Company on tour. Afterwards she was on tour with Sir Oswald Stoll, Macdonald and Young, and other smaller companies prior to becoming associated with Terence Byron’s companies.
The Hippodrome has had a most successful reopening this week. On Monday and Tuesday the company played Peg O’ my Heart to capacity “houses”, and indeed more people were turned away than would have filled the hall.
It was almost the same on Wednesday evening, and the bookings for this weekend are numerous the return of the “human talkie” has come as are really welcome change to the machine, and patrons are more than satisfied with the performance of the present company at the theatre.
“Peg o’my heart” is a most delightful comedy, full of laughs, which the company well brought out. The store is very good, and it is not surprising that it has created a furore where ever shown. The part of take, the title role, is most capably and charmingly portrayed by Miss Kathleen is of very high standard. The part of Jerry is well taken by Mr Noel Carey in the manner manly and superb. There is no dial that he will quickly become a staunch favourite with the patrons.
Mr Vint Graves has a most suitable role as Mr Chichester, which he plays in a droll manner, while Mr Frederick Farrington plays Christopher Brent ably. Miss Violet Warner, our old favourite, has a splendid role as Miss Chichester, which she carries off excellently. Her aristocratic pose brings her again to the forefront. Jarvis, the Butler, and Bennett, the maid, though minor parts, are well-played by Mr Colin Eaton and Miss Lori O’Neill, who get every ounce out of their roles. Ethel is splendidly played by Miss Lola Ballard, who gives a sprightly touch to the proceedings in her protection of our Pekingese against a somewhat ferocious terrier dog. Those scenes have the ordinance convulsed. The part of the solicitor is taken by Mr. S. Geo. Farer, who incidentally is the producer. The performances do reflect great credit on his powers.
Next week the company will produce a play that has had a successful revival at the Duke of York’s, London, and which has made one of the outstanding films of the year. It is Dorothy Brandon’s “The Outsider”, which is written around the interesting subject of the feud between the medical profession and those formally classed as quacks, the bone setters.
It will make a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment, for it abounds with all the emotions needed for a first-class play. Incidentally there is a wonderful lesson attached to the production, and patrons will probably learn much of an interesting subject.
The front of the house management is row in the hands of Me. Frank Caffrey, whose sole thought is to do everything for the comfort of the patrons.