MARINE MIX-UP

Evening Star, Issue 21716, 10 May 1934, Page 1

MARINE MIX-UP

THE MIDDLE WATCH’ A MERRY GDMEDY BRIGHT PRODUCTION BY STROLLING PLAYERS The amusing complications in ‘ The Middle Watch ’ make a merry marine mix-up, and the Dunedin Strolling Players were in their merriest mood last night, when they presented the lan Hay-Stepben King-Hall comedy in the Concert Chamber, which held a most satisfied audience of proportions that pleased' the box-office managers. The Players commenced their strolls into the realms of comedy and drama about three years ago with the purpose of assisting the funds of the Y.M.C.A. Their efforts have a sentimental appeal deserving of recognition, but the Players rely even more on their work for their drawing power. In presenting ‘ The Middle Watch ’ the company lias shown development, as the play could easily be marred by two or three indifferent performances. However, the acting is consistently satisfying: The staging of ‘ The Middle Watch ’ was ambitious, the Selection Committee gambling largely on a concerted effort by the company, with little allowance possible for incompleteness in individual characterisations. The comedy is unusual in that no character becomes a focal personage; every part is of, comparatively, the same value. Consequently faulty portrayals on the part of any would have discounted the general attractiveness of the play. Last night the company proved its all-round ability. The characters were confidently and impressively limned, and the acting was, for the most part, unforced. Having not' qualms that any particular member was likely to fall in his or her portrayal, the players entered into the rollicking fun with infectious freedom and spontaneity. .The Middle Watch ’ is comedy of the most amusing type, and, from end to end, almost every word and every action is provocative of hearty laughter. The comedy moved merrily, the Strolling Players not letting up at any stage. They appeared to enjoy the fun as much as their audience did. The story of the doings of H.M.S. Falcon is too well known to need recapitulation] it ■suffices to say that the amateurs hare caught its spirit and passed on its lively °°Actually, ‘ The Middle Watch ’ is a play without a star, and the evenness of the Players’ work preserved that feature. There were, however, three performers of distinction —Miss Anita Winkel’s Mary Carlton, Mr Reynolds Herbert’s Marine Ogg, and Mr Dowlas Ball’s Captain Maitland. Miss:Witikel adapted a pleasantly nasal American twang, and she was throughout a very forceful personality. As one of the two bright voung ladies (Miss Molly Baker being the other) responsible for most of the comical situations, she made the most of the incidents. Mr Dali looked the part and acted couviiicingly as the bashful captain, and Mr Herbert, whose Gaspard in ‘ Les Cloches de Corneville ’ is not likely to he forgotten, was capital in the light role of the harassed marine whose burden it was to bear the weight of the wrongdoings of his superiors. These throe players had greater opportunities than the other members of the cast; yet the lesser parts were, generally, excellently done. Mr Charles Smith made an amusing Ah Fong, his every entry provoking laughter. 1 It was good acting, not burlesque. Mr Percy Smith’s Corporal Duckett was clever, and Mr D.ouglas Skene made the admiral a lively study. Mr Roland Watson, as Captain Randall, was overwhelmed by the personalities and voices of the other players. Misses Molly Baker and Erana Newbold were both vivacious, smart, and Waceful. Miss Gwenda Burt s Ch<ufotte Hopkinsou was an actually diverting study of a spinster. She commanded the stage when she appeared. Miss Burt is a versatile amateur, equally pleasing as an actress or vocalist Miss Elsie MTeak was a very aristocratic and domineering admirals wife. Experience was evident in her work. „ t Mr Douglas Dali’s production .ot ‘The Middle Watcli ’ was very thorough. All the scenery was constructed by Mr ,G. Dickie, to whom credit must be given for artistry under difficulties, the by-laws prohibiting any nailing of scenes on this stage. Ibe D.I.C. Orchestra played light nautical airs during the interludes. ‘ The Middle Watch ’ will conclude its season on Saturday night, and it is alreadv indicated that it will, he the most successful season financially yet experienced by the Strolling Players.