IRISH COMEDY.

Auckland Star, Issue 154, 2 July 1934, Page 14

IRISH COMEDY.

LITTLE THEATRE - SUCCESS. "JS LIFE WORTH LIVING." One of the things that help to make life worth living was provided in generous measure to a warmly appreciative capacity house at the Concert Chamber on Saturday night by a cast of the Auckland Little Theatre entertainers in their production of Lennox Robinson's Irish comedy, "Is Life Worth Living?" The answer of the audience was decidedly affirmative, to both author and actors, even though modesty forbade the latter taking the salute from beyond the footlights after the dropping of the final curtain. Demanding deft and delicate characterisation in the greater number of the thirteen roles of the cast to carry both a moral and much moralising, with so little "business" relief that it is practically a still comedy, "Is Life Worth Living?" is too tricky a stage vehicle for even talented 'prentice hands to steer truly, and the emphatic success scored was a tribute to the ripe stage experience of such as J. F. Montague, Allan McElvvain, Charles Archer, Daphne Knight, Kathleen Coleman and Rachel Holdsworth in the key roles—and to the producer who placed them. The play concerns the advent to the small Irish village of Inislx of a repertory company led by Hector de la Mare (Charles Archer) and Constance Uonstantia (Daphne Knight), and the effect of letting loose on the simple minds of the villagers the "strong meat"of advanced modern drama. Most effectively Mr. Archer and Miss Knight portray the artificial posings of soulful theatrical folk who strive to live their favourite stage characters when olf the stage. Miss Knight's performance was especially smooth and well balanced. Excellent us it was, Mr. Archer's Thespian pose drifted at times towards the ecclesiastical. In the picture of a stage-smitten community raising a general Cain of suicide pacts, scandals and other ugly events previously unknown to Inish, John Twohig (J. F. Montague), the owner of the local hostel and general director of village private and political affairs, awakes to find his family, and the village generally, out of hand. Mr. Montague's study of the fatherly chief executive of village doings was an exceptionally line one, and in the last of the three acts his contribution to the climax was artistically effective. In make-up, action, accent and timing his performance was practically flawless.

Noteworthy also were the characterisations of Rachel Holdsworth as Mrs. Twohig, and Kathleen Coleman as John's sister. With only au occasional lapse in accent, Miss Holdsworth rivalled Mr. Montague in subtlety of working up to the climax of triumph of a woman's wit in an emotional crisis. Miss Coleman's brogue and "business" were effectively used throughout to enhance the emotional scenes, especially at the second act curtain. Allan McElwain's Peter Hurley was a particularly clever and complete study of the small-town politician, and his mien of contrition after falling into the fault of voting against the party on an emotional impulse was convulsing, Romantic interest upstairs in the hostel was introduced by Rex Carew (son of John Twohig) and Marie Drysdale (a visitor to the village), while Harold Knight (Michael) and Patricia Dobson (Helena) exploited a downstairs love affair. The parts were all well taken, Rex Carew excelling in the mood of youthful rebellion, while Harold Knight's wedding "get-up" was intensely mirth-provoking. Shamus Needham,- as a civic (guard, Douglas Shannon as a villager in search of an easy poison, and Aloysius Halley as a reporter scenting sensation, took the minor parts with distinct credit, though the later made the inistakc so common on the stage of flourishing pencil and notebook like a sword.

The one scene for all three acts, the private sitting room of an hotel in a small town, was really an added character in its individuality, and the Little Theatre quartette's selections of Irish airs and melodies helped to create the proper atmosphere for the play.

"Is Life Worth Living?" will be staged again to-night and the two following nights.