BRIGHT COMEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 3

BRIGHT COMEDY.

"A HUNDRED YEARS OLD."

CATHOLIC REPERTORY SOCIETY.

A bright anfl satisfying entertainment of a most unusual kind was the general verdict of the audience that filled the Concert Chamber last night when the Catholic Repertory Society opened its 1933 season with a Spanish comedy, "A Hundred Years Old." It served to give point not only to the flair of the Spanish for extracting philosophy and drama from the everyday affairs of life, but also to emphasise that the recent decline of drama on the professional stage has brought about a general revival of unsuspected amateur talent, and that the Catholic Repertory Society has its fair share of the .talent in Auckland. The play is a comedy featuring the humours of family life and discords. For this purpose three generations are brought together for the celebration of Papa Juan's hundredth birthday, and the varying characteristics of the generations are brightly contrasted under the mellow, meditative oversight of the old man, whose patient wisdom dissolves the discords. No great emotional demands • are made on the cast, but it calls for a general quiet restraint and dramatic understanding, and in this respect a distinct success was scored in ensuring in a hall where stage facilities are lacking, a smooth production, which was yet effective in emphasising the outstanding points to be made. Mr. Charles Archer's performance in the part of Papa Juan was ah exceptionally fine blend of dignity and humour in a difficult role, and his skill was rivalled by that of Mr. Alan McSkimming in that particular vein of quiet comedy in which the humour has to appear unconscious. The latter was the crotchety old man to the life. The gracious but somewhat masterful character of Dona Marciala, who has grown gracefully old in easy circumstances, was given a nicely-balanced study by Miss Edna Craig. Miss Flora Shenkin's characterisation of the termagant of the family was an especially able piece of work, with an effective climax. As the youngest and most favoured of the family, Miss Kathleen Gilbert made a charming Currita, her part being characterised by an engaging naturalness, which was the keynote of the role. Mr. A. D. Bathurst's irresponsible cheerfulness was quite in character, while Miss Marie Drysdale showed more than ordinary promise in the part of Eulalia. Minor parts were capably taken by Mies Edith Rosser (Carmen Campos), Miss Rena Shenkin (Rosa), Mr. J. Sharpe (Antonon), Mr. Leo Malley (Alonso) and Mr. J. G. Boyle (Manuel).

Mr. Gaston Mervale was responsible for the production, and overture and entr'acte music was supplied by an orchestra under the direction of Miss N. Ormond. The play will be repeated this evening.