'PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'

Evening Star, Issue 23864, 19 April 1941, Page 14

'PRIDE AND PREJUDICE'

FROCKIHG OF THE PERIOD This sparkling three-act comedy, by Helen Jerome, based on,the novel by Jane Austen, will be the fare provided by the Repertory Society for Dunedin theatre-goers week. To play Jane Austen in petticoats would be as glaring a mistake as to play Bach on a spinet,' so the frocking.throughout is strictly that of the late eighteenth century, with it« short-waisted frocks

and long, clinging skirts, with elabo-rately-trained gowns in the evening. The scenes change repeatedly, alternating between morning, afternoon, and evening. Perhaps the highlight as far as frooking is concerned is the ball scene, where the gowns are most picturesque, the whole scene radiating brightness. Elizabeth Bennett, as played by Mrs Roa Johnson, wears an old-world pea-cock-green satin gown, which catches the light as she moves; her mother, played y Airs Lance Griffiths, vvears a satin gown in dark fuchsia tonings. Lady Lucas (Airs APPhail) makes an impressive appearance in a gown of lavender satin, trained, of course, and elaborately trimmed in mauve. Aliss Bingley (Aliss Alargaret Al'Lay) carries off very effectively a gown of magenta satjn, its rather severe lines suited admirably to her tall figure. The narrow train sweeps behind her for many yards, and requires some skill in adjustment. Jane Bennett, as played by Miss Kathleen Nees, appears in a simple white evening gown, trained and much befrilled, finished at the waist with ribbons of baby pink. Lydia Bennett (Aliss Betty Rhodes) looks particularly sweet in lettuce green with a petunia sash. Charlotte Lucas, played by Aliss Helen Price, makes an effective picture iu old gold satin, with a long georgette scarf. This gives only sonic small idea of the interesting frocks worn ,throughout the play. The stage setting follows the period as closely as possible, and makes a delightful background for the many changes of scene.