STATE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 6

STATE THEATRE.

"The Return of the Scarlet

Pimpernel."

A young British actor mates a sensational film debut in "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel," a new London Film production, which commences on Friday at the State Theatre. He is Barry K. Barnes, who has the unenviable task of portraying Sir Percy Blakeney, a role brilliantly created on the screen by Leslie Howard. Despite this handicap, Barnes puts Up a magnificent performance, and there is no doubt that he is a discovery of firstclass importance. Only 28 years of age Barnes has the technique of a man twice as old. The film, as the title implies, is a'further chapter in the adventures of the man who struck terror into the hearts of men of terror— "that damned elusive Pimpernel." And this sequel is even more thrilling than the excellent Howard version. Nearly everyone is familiar with the Baroness Orczy character, the English dandy who devoted his life to the rescue of innocent victims of the French Revolution. "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" takes up the story at the point where the identity of the Pimpernel is known to the tyrant Robespierre and his chief of police Chauvelin. But even this knowledge does not prevent the audacious Sir Percy from rescuing victims from under the very shadow of the guillotine. In an effort to trap the Pimpernel, Chauvelin kidnaps the beautiful Lady Blakeney, imprisoning her in Paris. Sir Percy follows, and, greatly daring, effects her rescue, but is then himself foiled by foxy Chauvelin. With Lady Blakeney recaptured and facing execution within a few days, Blakeney engineers a coup which, in a thrilling climax, results in the downfall of the regime of tyranny, the capture of Chauvelin, and, above all, the rescue of his adored wife. The colourful, exciting story, the romantic charm of Barry K. Barnes, the soft beauty of Sophie Stewart, and the excellence of the supporting players, Margarette Scott, James Mason, Francis Lister, and Anthony Bushell, make "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" a memorable film. WELLINGTON CATHOLIC FLAYERS. The Wellington Catholic Players recently presented at the society's Little Theatre, to an appreciative audience, a programme of three one-act plays. The comedy "Enter the Hero" was well played by Misses E. Drummond and F. Donovan, Mrs. M. M. King, and Mr. T. J. Lacey, the producer being Miss Loftus. The second play, "Women of Mystery," the complications of which intrigued the audience, had the following cast: Mrs. Gilligan, Misses Ahem and Dwyer with Miss Ahem as producer. The amusing playlet "Old Moorels Almanac," Which evoked much laughter, was played with spiritby Misses Cunningham, Mottram, and Haughey, and Messrs. Pat Hughes, T. P. McCarthy, and H. Jones. This was produced by Miss Cunningham. During the evening an interesting and informative talk on "Some Religious Poetry of the Nineties" was given by the Rev. Dr. Walsh, and songs were contributed by Mr. B. R. O'Brien Incidental music was played during the evening by Misses K. Goodson, Milligan, and K. Byrne. Recent readings by the society include "Dear Brutus," with the following cast: Mrs. Terry, Misses Ahearn, Donovan, E. McCarthy McDermott, and Thompson, Messrs T P. McCarthy, G. Reid, Lacey. Aldridge, Conrick; and "Ten Minutes Alibi," the following being the readers: Miss Emerson, Messr. Phillips, Phillpot, H Jones, O'Kane, and Gordon.