“THE WHITEHEADED BOY”

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 21, 19 October 1944, Page 7

“THE WHITEHEADED BOY”

British Drama League Production Eight groups associated with the British Drama League were concerned in the performance of Lennox Robinson’s comedy, “The Whiteheaded Boy,” at the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall last night. Because of the wildness of the elements the audience was thin, but such a trifle did not affect the spirit of the players, who gave quite a lively performance of this domestic tangle In the Geoghegan family. It was the first attempt on the part of these players in a full-length comedy, but, thanks to the able direction of Mrs. Bernard Beebe, tile ideas of the Irish playwright were Intelligently conveyed; nor was that a simple matter, for every character had to sport “a dab of the brogue,” and 11 was rather surprising how well they did it. The comedy deals with the spoiling of Denis, the youngest son and his mother’s heart’s delight, though he is a bit of a wastrel. Through her machinations Denis is sent to Dublin to study medicine, but, preferring horses with noses too short to win. he goes through the family money and fails in his examinations It is George, the eldest son, who at last takes a stand by cutting off supplies. He thinks thaf Denis should fend for himself in Canada This is a sad blow for the debonair Denis, for It means a break with Delia Duffy. Bur old man Duffy refuses to sec his daughter jilted. He threatens to sue Denis, for breach of promise, and there Is the devl. to pay in the Geoghegan family, till thre«of them, all unknown to one another, buy the old curmudgeon off, Aunt Ellen even promising to marry him. But Denis fools them, for instead of going to Canada, he secretly marries Della and shames them into terms by pretending that, lie has taken a job on the village steam-roller The comedy has a rapid tempo and there is plenty of fun (not always fully developed), while the range of characters is interesting. Bessie Anderson, as the mother, was amusingly human in her devotion to the whiteheaded boy, and Earle Rowell as Denis had a light supercilious air and a nice sense of ironic raillery that was effective Percy Cousins was solid and forceful as George, and Frederick Sanderson made a spirited John Duffy. Others who helped to create the merry illusion were Mavis Ring (Kate), May Leeburn (Hannah), Nancy McGuire (Ellen), Molly Newman (Baby)', Daphne Violich (Della). Edward Jones (Donough), and Donald Gandell (Peter). An attractive and colourful setting was given the living room in the Geoghegan home. “The Whiteheaded Boy” will be played throughout the rest of the week. It deserves finer weather and larger audiences-.