PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20372, 2 January 1930, Page 10

PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENT

‘HEW BROOMS'AT PRINCESS COMEDY AND COMMON SENSE “ Son, you say things have changed since I was a boy. I said the same thing to my father. And if you have boys, which please God you will, they’ll say the same thing to you. How you kids can hurt us when you push us aside> and tell ns wo don’t know anything! Do you think you could know as much about business, with no experience, as I do with forty years of it? Do you think I didn’t sneak my first smoke or sneak Dad’s razor for my first shave? You can’t tell me about boys. You’ve only been one. I’ve been and had one. When you were a baby I taught you to walk. Then came a time when you thought you could do it alone. You started, and then went down with a flop. You pulled yourself up aud’started again. Can’t you laugh again and see that I am trying to help you now as I did then?” _ That is just one of the sound philosophies expounded in ‘New Brooms,the Frank Craven comedy that was given its premiere by the American Comedy Company in the Princess Theatre last evening. It was a play that afforded the company an opportunity to demonstrate the measure of its artistry, and every member rose to the occasion with conspicuous success. The material provided t, players, with much more scope than they had in ‘The Family Upstairs,’ and the performance was such as 'to greatly enhance the popularity they have already gained in this city. ‘ New Brooms ’ may he called a comedy, but in it there is a strongly-deyeloped element of common sense. The action is indubitably very humorous, hut It is subversive to the sound philosophy and significance it conveys. The age-old problem of the indulgent recognition eleven intolerance of youth for those who have learned some of the lessons of life constitutes the basis of ‘New Brooms.’ About this theme Frank Craven has constructed an exceedingly clever comedy. With such an excellent ■performance as was witnessed last evening it was scarcely surprising that ‘New Brooms ’ registered the outstanding success it did. One of the most pleasant features about the performances of the members of ibis company is their quiet, unassuming style. Not that the lack conviction in any respect—far from it. When power is called for it is admirably expressed. There is nothing of the spectacular, and little cf the pretentious in their productions. The portraits presented are simple, vivid, and essentially human. It is not very often that theatre audiences in Dunedin have the opportunity of observing the stage employed at its most important duty—holding the mir-ror-up to Nature. That entertainment exists robustly outside the far-flung boundaries of syncopation, «kiu-deep sentiment, and bare-legged choruses is, exemplified by this performance of ‘ New Brooms.’ The story is a simple one. A wealthy manufacturer grows more petulant-and irascible as he grows older and the cares of his business increase. ‘ His son arrives fresh from college, with no cares at all, firmly convinced that the business would develop even, more if the personal touch was introduced. His father, he considers, should radiate his joi de viyro, and consequently ensure the happiness cf all his associates. The hardened old business mall finally agrees to put his _ optimistic son in complete charge of his business and house for one year. Then the situ ation is completely reversed. The son finds that,the path of business is not strewn with roses. He soon loses his happy smile and engaging personality, while the old man flits away on a round of pleasure. The romantic interest is, of course, very pleasantly developed Jby the appearance of a most attractive housekeeper. In the many diversified characterisations of the comedy last evening there was not one weak; performance. One of tho most outstanding was that of Wyrley Birch. His) delineation, of’the caustic old''business man was one of consuummato artistry. Mr Birch is a master of stagecraft—a sterling actor. He was thoroughly convincing in all he di<J, and did not for one- moment lose his keen appreciation-of the possibilities of his role. His little exposition of tho father’s philosophy in life when the son had admitted failure was one of the most stirring scenes of the play. Miss Leona Hogarth was singularly graceful in her presentation of the housekeeper who managed to coax the old man out of his shell of reserve and cynicism.. Of attractive presence and style, Miss Hogarth made an ideal heroine. She has a quiet charm that has already captivated Dunedin theatregoers. • Mr Leonard Doyle gave an excellent performance as the harassed son who imagined that business was sheei philanthropy. Mr Doyle lias a very pleasant style, and entered into the role with tho utmost spirit. His was a delineation of skill and conviction. ■Miss Molly Raynor was quite delightful ,as the daughter of the household; and Mr Compton Ooutts gayo a very amusing sketch of a cleric with a passion ’ for charities. Miss Lucille Lisle, Mr John Warwick, Mr Norman Wister, Miss Eve Daunay, Miss Mary Curtain, and Mr Reginald Roberts were others who’ performed with marked ability. The music played between the acts was much appreciated. ‘New Brooms,’ a show to be recommended, will he presented nightly and at a matinee pn Saturday next. ‘WHITE COLLARS’ -‘White Collars,’ the third of the comedies to be presented by the com-<« pany at the Princess Theatre, centres round an average working man’s everyday life, his political ideas, etc., and the views his family expresses of his opinions. . The feminine lead is taken by Leona Hogarth, who is supported by Lucille Lisle, Molly Raynor, and Eva Dawney. Tho male parts are played by Leonard Doyle, Wyrley Birch, Compton Coutts, John Warwick, and Reginald’Roberts. ‘White Collars’ is scheduled for presentation shortly.