LACKJOY THE GAOLER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 11

LACKJOY THE GAOLER.

FUNNY MAN OF "RUNNYMEDE." j Comedy, character work and straight dramatic roles have all been enacted on the local stage by D. Myer Robinson, who has the part of Lackjoy, the humorous gaoler, in the colourful operatic production. "Runnyniede." which has so pleased Auckland theatregoers as to have earned an extended season of a week. This evening was originally to have closed the fortnight's season. Fifteen years in local theatricals, Mr. Robinson will be remembered by many patrons as Robert Crawford. He played in Elmer Rice's "Street Scene." Galsworthy's "Silver Box." Shaw's "Pygmalion" and "Dear Brutus." Noel Coward's "The Young Idea." the famous American comedv "It Pays to Advertise.' and Clifford Odets' "Waiting For Lefty" and "Till the Day I Die." He uses his light baritone voice in the sextette number in "Runnyniede." His biggest scene in the play—of which he was organising secretary. radio commentator and programme editor— is that in which Prudence (Elsie Bell-Booth) cleverlv abstracts his keys , whil« 'romancing with him. Reminiscent of "The Yeomen of the Guard." this «p°ne one of the plav's best moments. Bell-Br>oth. who is one of the best "("•formers in the whole play, usee her voice to excellent advantage in this scene.

Tlif» deci«ion to extend tlie season of "Pnn'iymerlo" a week was influenced by the fart that the bookings for to-day's ■lintiiipp Performance were closed at 6 p.m. last night.

A bequest of £50 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is -ontained in the will of Mrs. Annie v liza Hamilton, of Auckland, whose 'path occurred on September 9. The vliole estate has been valued for probate urposes at not more than £5500.