Entertaining Playing Of Goldsmith Comedy

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 16

Entertaining Playing Of Goldsmith Comedy

A thoroughly entertaining performance of “She Stoops to Conquer” was given last night by pupils of the Christchurch Girls’ High School. A talented cast acted with consistent assurance and a fine sense of comedy. Clarity and attention to the finer details of dress and manners of the period made this an outstanding production. As Mrs Hardcastle, Jean Betts did a first-rate job. Her voice in particular, and also her mannerisms and her fine sense of comedy, made this a thoroughly convincing portrayal of a middle-aged woman.

Adriyana Markotich was, in spite of the heterogeneous accent, a delightfully loutish Tony Lumpkin. Jeanette Zielinski was a charming, impish, and spirited Kate, and Susan Keith a convincingly debonair Marlow; the scenes these two played together were most successful. Patricia Walders was excellent as Squire Hardcastle. All the lesser members of the cast had given the same careful consideration to their parts and acted with a commendable consistency. Most notable was the particular attention given to the walk and mannerisms of the men, and to the excellent diction of every member of the cast

Costuming also was of a very high standard. The production, by Mrs Muriel Cochrane, had faults that were mainly the result of lack of facilities. Had it been possible tn play the inn and horse-pond scenes nearer the front of the stage • the over-long scene changing could have been avoided; and more adequate front-of-house lighting would have enabled the producer to use the forestage—as it was the movements tended to be twodimensional, and there was some bad masking. However, these are small details to set against the general excellence of a thoroughly enjoyable production. The season of “She Stoops to Conquer” will continue at the school tonight and tomorrow. —P.S.