REPERTORY PLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1935, Page 19

REPERTORY PLAY.

ATTRACTIVE BIBLICAL SETTING

The danger of costume plays, which are so frequently produced nowadays, is that they so easily degenerate into an inartistic display of elaborate flocking, to the detriment of the play itself. But this criticism could not bo levelled against the production of "A Man's House," by John Drinkwater, the play presented by the Catholic Repertory Society in the Town Hall last evening, and produced by Miss Ysolinde McVeagh. Here the rich yet sombre colouring of the Biblical robes seemed to lend added meaning to the spiritual significance of the play itself. The simplicity of the costuming, the background, and the skilful combination of colours were enhanced by particularly line lighting effects. In the first act, as the blind daughter Esther, Miss Honor Sim wore a robe of old gold satin with a rich blue coat and a peach pink veil, while Miss Zena Ready, as Rachel, wore a flowing robe of dove grey ninon and a veil, in the third act Miss Sim appeared in a vieux rose cloak, which lent her added dignity. The costumes of the men characters were no less colourful than those of the women. Mr. Norton Hammond, in the role of Salathiel, the Jewish father, wore a green robe with a deep henna cloak. Mr. Rex Sayeivs, as Nathan, was robed in royal blue with a purple cloak. Matliias, a part taken by Mr. Gilbert O'Sullivan, appeared in cream, with a royal purple cloak, while Mr. Kenneth Warburton, as David, wore a maroon tunic with gold and purple shot cloak. Mr. Val. Mul gan, who took the part of Barnabas, was attired in a purple robe and leaf green cloak. Levi, a part taken by Mr. J. G. Boyle, was robed in deep blue with a peacock green cloak, and the Roman Officer, Mr. Hugh Woods, wore a cream and gold tunic, a purple and gold cloak and a centurion helriict.

Her Excellency Lady Gahvay, accompanied by Mrs. A. F. Purvis, attended the performance.