J.C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 7

J.C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY

“FRESH FIELDS”

Ivor Novello’s brilliantly clever and funny comedy, “Fresh Fields*” which is to be staged by J. C. Williamson s company, headed by the two New Zealand artists, Ethel Morrison and Elaine Hamill, at the Theatre Royal, on Saturday night next, has been acclaimed the most entertaining play the Eng-lish-speaking stage has known during the last 20 years, and it has made a huge fortune for its author. “The role of Lady Mary Crabbe,” a critic writes, “was invested with graceful dignity and natural humour by Ethel Morrison. She had as foil and assistant Elaine Hamill, an accomplished young actress in delineating the unusual character of a woman who cloaked ordinary material instincts under a pose of spirituality Miss Morrison has scored one of her best successes in the role of Lady Mary, which is a part that might have been specially created for this distinguished actress. A newspaper in the North Island stated that it would be hard to find anybody who could port re.- the role of Lady Lilian better than Miss Hamill. She is slim, clear-skinned, and starry eyed, but her beauty does not obscure her outstanding artistry. Miss Hamill not only looked the part, but she also acted it to perfection. Harvey Adams, Katie Towers, Phyllis Baker. Arthur Lane. Enid Hollins, and Connie Martyn are other artists who have assisted to make “Fresh Fields” the most successful play staged in New Zealand during recent years. During the season, “The Shining Hour, “As Husbands Go.” and “Night Must Fall” are also to be staged. The box plans for “Fresh Fields” will be opened on Wednesday morning at the D.I.C.

REGENT

“THE PETRIFIED FOREST”

Leslie Howard, in "The Petrified Forest.” the current attraction at the Regent Theatre, gives one of the most sincere performances of his career in the role of a disillusioned young author, who finds love and happiness in the Arizona Desert. The story presents a varied assortment of characters involved in an irresistible chain of circumstances. Hotvard is ably supported by Bette Davis and by Humphrey Bogart, who shows himself an actor of high ability. The supporting programme is good. | LIBERTY “Things are Looking Up." starring 1 Cicely Courtneidge, and "Party Wire.” j with Victor Jory and Jean Arthur, are ( the current features at the Liberty.