“NIGHT MUST FALL”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 3

“NIGHT MUST FALL”

Clever Blend of Comedy and Thrills In murder mysteries, it is not often that the audience is enlightened from the start, as to the identity of the murderer, but this is just one of the unusual features of "Night Must Fall, the startling play by Emlyn Williams, which the J. C. Williamson company is presenting at the Grand Opera House until Friday next,. It is morbid in parts, and people with nerves not well under control will declare it “horrible,” but its phenomenal success is the best answer to those to whom blood is an indispensable but slightly indelicate fluid, and murder too vulgar to be thought about. Miss Ethel Morrison surprised even her most ardent admirers by the strength of her portrayal of Mrs. Bransom, the imperious invalid, a coarse-tongued old woman who bullied everyone around her. Mr. Lloyd Lamble, as Dan, the mentally deranged murderer, was convincing at his every appearance. Even more difficult was the role portrayed by Miss Elaine Hamill, as Olivia, the highlystrung and psychic girl who declares her hatred for the murderer and yet falls in love with him and shields him.

“The Shining Hour.”

For one final week, commencing at the matinee at 2.15 on Saturday next, theatregoers will be afforded another opportunity of seeing a recent London and New York success in Keith Winters delightful domestic drama, “The Shining Hour.” “The Shining Hour” is one of the very few plays thaj. was running simultaneously in both cities, the combined seasons exceeding two years, Mith its action staged in a Yorkshire farm-house, “The Shining Hour" treats of the entry of a beautiful, glamorous stranger, from an unknown outside world, lhe author has dramatised the loves of three brothers, two of them married. The younger brother is infatuated with the elder brother's wife, who is merely amused by him. The second brother, who has a wife who adores him. falls in love with the other’s wife. The position is further involved with the entry of the beautiful stranger, and tragedy is reached with the devoted wife of the second brother committing suicide. “The Shining Hour” provides Miss Ethel Morrison. Miss Elaine Hamill and Mr. Campbell Copelin. in the three leading parts, with splendid opportunities to displav their unusual 'histrionic gifts. “The Shining Hour” 'will be played for six evening and two matinee performances, the season closing on Friday week. Box plans for “The Shining Hour” are now open at the D.I.C.