Farce now classic

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 17

Farce now classic

By

HOWARD MCNAUGHTON

“Mothers and Fathers,” by Joseph M'isaphia. Directed by Bryan Aitken for The Court Theatre, Christchurch Arts Centre. Running time- 8 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.

It is now three years since The Court offered us its I first production of this play which, throughout the country. has thoroughly proved itself a classic of local farce. Exactly how it has achieved this, when Musaphia has written at least four plays of comparable quality and appeal which have been completely ignored in Christchurch, is something I of a mystery; but the enthusiastic capacity bouse at The] Court’s opening left no doubt as to the plav’s durability.

The texture of sexist farce and social incongruity that makes up “Mothers and Fathers” is by now too well known to need description. However, with this production one notes afresh the enormous comic value of a small amount of localising in the script’ in fact, such is the quality of its social verismilitude that it is difficult to believe that such a welter of pretensions and absurdities could occur anywhere but in Cashmere. For this production, Philin Holder again plays the traffic officer and Elizabeth Moody the lawyer’s wife; their best scenes, such as their rugby league training session, are even more effective than last time, and, perhaps through long familiarity with the roles, they find I more human depth in the] act. i Paul Sonne, coming into, I the lawyer’s role, is ex-1

cellent (though not overtaxed intellectually); Sandra Rasmussen brings more sympath' and a new credibility to the M.O.T. staff wife which means that she is better in terms of mundane reality but not alto-; gether at ease with her fan-' tasies. The consequence of all this is that there are ai 'couple of brief comically; dead areas in the second act'

when the issues seem to be developing a serious edge, but the comic high spots — an.i there are dozens — are better than ever. This production. which transfers to the James Has Theatre nex - week, is well programmed: a good transition to winter entertainment, and an effective complement to the more serious drama that surrounds it both at The Court and at the Students' Arts Festival