“SABRINA FAIR”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 19 September 1959, Page 15

“SABRINA FAIR”

Presentation By Nurses "Sabrina Fair,” an agreeable comedy with some deftly contrived surprises, was presented at the Repertory Theatre last evening by a cast drawn from the Christchurch Hospital Drama Club, together with some additional actors. Although the audience was disappointinlgy small, the play was well-received, as it deserved to be, for obviously considerable thought and effort have gone into the production. Unlike several recent plays seen in the city, "Sabrina Fair” faltered a little to begin with, but then steadily gained a pace and effectiveness until the final curtain. Subsequent performances should be even more pleasing. Barbara Rix-Trott, in the name part, suggested the heroine’s impetuosity in a convincing way when once she discarded a tendency to over-etnphasise. This was perhaps to be expected in her sensational first scene. However, in the quieter developments which followed, she always commanded the indulgent attention of the audience and this was probably the effect the playwright would have wished to achieve.

As Aunt Julia, Shona Sutherland seemed unsure of herself to begin with; but she went on to act in a forceful, confident style that was best displayed in her decisive intervention during the last scene. Next to Sabrina herself, Maud Larrabee has most to do in this play. Sandra Story did look rather young for the role of Mrs Larrabee. although to some extent the dignity of her manner made up for this. Three of the more important parts in “Sabrina Fair” are for men. David Lund was Linus Larrabee, senior, irascible in temper and unpredictable in conversation. Mr Lund brought out these qualities so that they seemed perfectly natural. This was particularly true of Mr Larrabee’s more irate passages, which were most enjoyable both to hear and to see. James Cahill, too, was well cast as the amiable younger son. He and Barbara Rix-Trott and Robin Wells worked together very successfully. Mr Wells should have been made up to look older. He would then have interpreted the part of the domineering individualist with even more authority. As it was, he gave a strong, though at times, a rather startling performance. Sentiments so ruthless were not what would be expected from so young a man as he seemed to be. “Sabrina Fair” takes place in a cheerful but unobtrusive setting, which was designed by lan C. Lund, who also produced the play. —C.E.S.