“TEN-MINUTE ALIBI”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 120, 14 February 1935, Page 4

“TEN-MINUTE ALIBI”

The London dramatic success. “Ten Minute Alibi,” is to be staged for the first time at the Grand Opera House by J. C. Williamson, Ltd.’s New Londbn Company on Saturday night next. “Ten Minute Alibi” recently celebrated its 850th performance in London, and it is still attracting record audiences. Its success in Auckland and in the provincial towns of the North Island has been phenomenal. The planning of the murder on which the play iss based is said to be almost sdientifically precise; its execution introduces certain unforeseen elements which intensify the dramatic value of the situations, and its consequences provide an admirable finish and crescendo of suspense, which is relieved only by the chiming of the fateful clock at the fall of the curtain. “The Loudon actor, George Thirlwell,” wrote an Auckland critic, “gives an impeccable performance.”- The girl, Betty Findon, is played by Jocelyn Howarth, already known to New Zealanders through her appearance in Australian films. Mr. Arundel Nixon makes an appropriate loathsome figure of “Sevilla.” Mr. Frank Bradley, the well-known character comedian, gives a delightful sketch of a Cockney detectiveinspector, and man of shrewd native wit. ctml’i-onted with the superior education of the young detective-sergeant. The latter part is played by Mr. Tommy Jay, and it is said ihe scenes between these two are gems of their kind. Sevilla’s servant >s presented by Mr. R. L. Atholwood", while Mr. Harold B. Meade gives a fine character sketch of the blustering lawyer, Sir Miles Standing. Mr. Richard Fair, is said to be excellent as the restaur-ant-keeper. Tile staging, dressing and lighting effects are features of the production.