BRIGHT STAGE COMEDY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29146, 5 March 1960, Page 15

BRIGHT STAGE COMEDY

“The Rainmaker” Presented The first performance of “The Rainmaker,” the Repertory Theatre Society’s opening production for 1960, was given to a packed house at the Repertory Theatre last evening. The play was acted by an experienced cast who rose to the occasion with enthusiasm. A specal feature of "The Rainmaker” is the dialogue, and although some of the players were not entirely successful in catching the western flavour of the humour, the play, as a whole, was briskly acted with scarcely a dull moment. One of the most convincing performances was that given by John Batstone. Mr Batstone brought out the individuality that marked every action of Starbuck, the rainmaker, and seemed to enter naturally into his countless eccentricities. It was also pleasing to see that Mr Batstone has made such considerable advances in acting ability, doubtless as a result of his studies abroad. Christine Batstone, too, quite brought the part of Lizzie Curry to life, after the natural awkwardness of her first scene. Here the player has to create the warmth and attraction of the character as she goes along, and this, as may be imagined, calls for considerable understanding and skill. It need only be said that Christine Batstone was very successful in this role. Always Amusing The men of the Curry family were always amusing, although in subsequent performances George McCleary and Tom Kincaid will doubtless give an impression of greater relaxation. On the other hand Jim Cahill, as the younger son, Jim Curry, acted with greater abandon, but with no less appreciation of the possibilities of his lines. The result was i a most pleasing performance, and Mr Cahill was the life and soul of the comedy. In his more intense moments. File, the deputy sheriff, really did seem a man with a grievance against society, but by contrast, his conversations with his colleague tended to be ineffective. John Partleton has only a small part in “The Rainmaker.” He spoke his lines rapidly and could not always be followed, but this is a fault which might be corrected without much difficulty. A feature of “The Rainmaker which is rather unexpected is the variety of interest it oners. It is a comedy, but is not uproariously comic. Then there is a vein of sentiment as well, although this is not insisted upon. It is obvious to the audience that the producer, Mr Frank Newman, has brought out the themes of the play with his usual discretion. The set, a triple arrangement, was rather crowded, but it worked well; and the actors are to be commended for their skill in moving about so freely where there was much to impede them.