REPERTORY THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 5

REPERTORY THEATRE

A NIGHT OF SHORT PLAYS

In common with some other similar societies in New Zealand the Repertory Theatre (Inc.) of Wellington is doing excellent work in keeping public interest in the theatre alive and healthy. For business reasons professional touring companies which formerly gave stage plays in the Dominion now come this way but rarely, and New Zealand is more or less compelled to pursue a policy of a sort of theatrical economic nationalism, having to rely upon its own resources. The results, however, are good in that regular and often discriminating audiences are bemg built up, demanding good stage plays reasonably well acted—and getting good value for their money. A notable instance of this was the Repertory Theatre's effort at the Concert Chamber last night, when four of a series of seven short one-act plays were presented to a full house. Three more plays and one of those performed last night will be submitted for public approval this evening. The "season" was opened with "One Goes Alone," by Edward Williams, and the cast was as follows:—Major Tripp A. D. Priestley; Private Clarke, H. A. Painter; Private Sims, D. EdwardsLieutenant Tyson, Myles F. E. WrightLieutenant Vogel, Carl Watson; Lieutenant Archer, L. D. Webster; Captain Grace, V.G., Martin Liddle; and Lieutenant Galloway, H. N. Hannah. Producer, Ralph Hogg. This was an all-man cast, a play of the "Journey's End" type. It is a soundly constructed play and was acted with power and a grim realism that manifestly impressed the audience; remarkable too for the way in which the little company acted for the , play's sake.

"The Man in the Stalls," by Alfred Sutro, followed. Cast: Walter Cozens, R. E. Pope; Hector Allen, G. H. A Swan; and Betty Allen (his wife), Mrs. John Hastings. Producer, Leo dv Chateau. This was a clever little triangular problem recalling the classic "comedy and tragedy," and making great demands upon the dramatic resources of all three members of the cast. It was found highly amusing by the audience. Mrs. Hastings showed a clear understanding of her part, and Messrs. Pope and Swan extracted much fun out of theirs.

"The Valiant," a short American drama, by H. Hall and R. Middlemass. Cast: The Warden of the Prison, Evan Harrowell; Father Daly, Chaplain, J. B. Yaldwyn; James Dyke (under sentence of death), H. N. Hannah; Josephine Paris (a girl in quest of a lost brother), Mary White; and Dan (a gaoler), C. J. Bell. Producer, H. N. Hannah. This brief but impressive play gripped and held the interest and sympathy of the audience from first to last. It was admirably acted by every member in the cast.

The last play (to be repeated this evening) was an amusing and clever burlesque of Greek drama, entitled "The Spartan Girl," by A. J. Talbot. Cast: Neptune, A. D. Priestley; Phoebe, Miss Edna Greville Wiggs; Dorcas, Mrs. Mary Mackenzie; Messenger, Greville Wiggs; Eustace, Ralph Hogg; Stranger, or Man in Possession, F. G. Hayes Townes; and Attendant, Craig Mackenzie. There was also the chorus, which represented "beauty queens," taken by Misses Agnes Elliott, Allona Priestley, Marguerite Thompson, and Joan Watson. Producer, A. D. Priestley. Audience and performers were of one mind in the enjoyment of this witty and at times farcical production, which brought the evening's entertainment to a good close. Highly appreciated music was furnished by the Wellington Orchestral Society, Mr. Eric Meier conducting. Tonight's programme will consist of four one-act plays, '.'The Road of Popilars" (by Vernon Sylvane), "A Queen at Holyrood" (by Ben O'Brien), "In Port" (by Harold Simpson), and "The Spartan Girl" (by A. J. Talbot).