"DEAR BRUTUS”

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 16, 13 October 1927, Page 12

"DEAR BRUTUS”

AN EXCELLENT AMATEUR EFFORT One of the best amateur production# of its kind seen in Wellington for soma considerable time is "Dear Brutus/’ m comedy in three acts, by Sir J. M. Barrie, which was played before a fairsized audience at the Concert Chamber ot the Town Hall last night. With the exception of a slight slip here and there, which occurs in almost every amateur production, the piece was successful in every way. The story, which is full of that quaint whimsical Barrie stylo of humour, shows what happens to a party of ladies who visit the home of _an eccentric gentleman named "Lob” in midsummer. Why he invited them down at first seemed quite a mystery, but they are told by his servant that there is a reason, and that is “that they all have something in common.” That “something” turned out to be that they were only human, and would like a second chance —a chance to live their life over again, and see what they would make of it. The w’hole party eventually go out into the woods and get all mixed up in having their other life. ... Undoubtedly the best performer of th# night, and one .who is worthy of great praise, was Miss Doris I. Hussey, who as Margaret, ’‘might have been/’ was full of grace and charm, and perfectly natural in her role of the child. Another who gave a pleasing performance was Miss Ida Gustoi'son, who as one of the "flirting flapper type” was very good indeed. She spoke her lines clearly and fitted her characterisation to perfection. Mr. John Watchman gave a good performance as "Lob.” Mr. Vernon Oswin as Will Dearth was one of the mainstays of the show. As the artist husband in the first act who hn s become the worse for a few drinks, he was decidedly clever, while he was even better as. the poor painter in the second act who looked on life through rose-coloured spectacles and worshipped his daughter, Margaret. Mr. Robert Mayne was Seen in the part of Jack Purdie, the straying husband, 'and Mr. Leslie Anderson made a convincing "Matey,” the butler, while Mr. Harry Brown and Mrs. E. Maslen were pleasing as Mr. and Mrs. Coade. Miss Annie Flan as Lady Caroline Laney also did what she had to do well, and as Mrs. Dearth, Miss Effie McPhee was excellent. , , j Miss Constance Theel, who produced “Dear Brutus,” is to be congratulated foe being responsible for such a firstclass offering. The comedy, which is being held in aid of the Wellington East Girls’ College and the W.E.A., will lie repeated again to-night, when the members of the Charley’s Aunt Club Orchestra will again provide incidental music.-

A new record is claimed for the Ldndon County Council’s housing estate at Bccntree. In one street alone there are 2000 children living. In the British Civil Service there are about 300,000 workers, half of whom are stated to receive., an inclusive wage of less than .£3 a weo