“NIGHT MUST FALL”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 8

“NIGHT MUST FALL”

Powerful Drama Starts To-day at Opera House Commeiiciug at the Grand Opera House this afternoon ami this evening Wellington playgoers will have Hie unusual opportunity of seeing a famous play while it is still running to crowded houses in London. Emlyn Williams's powerful drama “Night Must h'till” is to be portrayed by the J. C. Williamson company which has already established itself as one of the finest seen in New Zealand for many a long day. An extract from the London "Morning Post” should interest those who are contemplating a visit to the Opera House either to-day or during the ensuing week: "‘Night Must Fall’ competes with anything we have seen upon the stage exploiting this particular type of play. There are moments the tenseness of which is like that of a violin string stretched to breaking point. The grip upon the sensibilities of the audience is as firm and powerful as can possibly be achieved in the theatre. Nor is the play lacking in humour; its repartee is as shattering and as vigorously funny as any to be currently heard in London. ‘Night. Must Kall’ is more than a melodrama. In the conventional crime play the cpiestion the author asks is ‘Who did it?’ But this is not the way Sir. Williams approaches his theme. For at the very beginning he not only tells us who committed the crime but even what happened to him after his arrest. Yet in a deeper sense ‘Who did it?’ is precisely what Mr. Williams wants to know. It is this psychological something that makes ‘Night Must Fall’ so important in the category of what are loosely called detective plays.” The company to perform this play is headed by Ethel Morrison and Elaine Hamill and they have in association with them Lloyd Lamble, making his first appearance in New Zealand, Campbell Copelin, Harvey Adams, Katie Towers, Norman Shepherd. Phyllis Baker (the delightful Una of “Fresh Fields”), ami Enid Hollins. It is desired to emphasise that the curtain will rise at 8 o’clock sharp, and latecomers cannot be admitted until the conclusion of the prologue. Box piano are at the D.1.C., but after 1 p.m. to-day plans for to-night’s performance will be at the Opera House Confectionery, where day eales for stalls and gallery may also be obtained after 9 a.m.