COMEDY IN REHEARSAL

Evening Star, Issue 25472, 1 May 1945, Page 4

COMEDY IN REHEARSAL

"Y©U CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU"

OPENS DUNEDIN, MAY 15

For weeks a' good and carefully selected cast has been at "work preparing this year's comedy, 'which will be presented by Heritage (Otago), Inc., in His Majesty's Theatre, for a season of "five nights commencing Tuesday, May 15. And here is-' the behind-the-scenes story of 'You Can't Take It With You? now in rehearsal under the productorship of Mrs John Moffett, supported by a special " Heritage Committee. Comedy—really good comedy such as ' You Can't Take It With You'—provides- a lot of something for everyone. In this particular production there are highly amusing lines, a story of every-day life cleverly unfolded through the medium of faultless acting and professional direction. Unlike Topsy, no comedy "just growed." Indeed, the amount of hard work,' planning, and organising that goes to make a successful comedy is far greater than most people realise. Some months ago its was decided to " do v a show '! for " Heritage " funds. Eventually the comedy, 'You Can't Take It With You ' was chosen, the cast selected, and parts distributed. The producer, stage manager, and their staffs discuss bits of "business." There is the all-important matter of " stage dressing ' '—that is- the various' positions to be occupied by merhbers of the cast throughout the three acts. After the first few rehearsals, things take on a different shape and the cast grows into a team, and every member realises that " life is real, acting- is earnest." In ' You Can't Take It With You"' every member of the cast is very sympathetic to the cause for which this- comedy is being presented. The profit will be" devoted to the -welfare of children who have lost their fathers during this -war. It is a Do-minion-wide movement operating very efficiently- locally under the title of Herifage* (Otago) Incorporated. But returning to the rehearsal. Eventually comes the night of the full-dress' rehearsal. The stage manager and his .staff, the property staff, and the dressers, to say nothing of the cast, are on their toes. And then the first night, with its atmosphere of excitement and thrill. Every seat in the theatre occupied. And after the final curtain the capacity audience that gave such emphatic proof of its appreciation, finally departs, realising that in addition 'to having enjoyed really good comedy, the finances of a very worthy digger" cause have been substantially augmented. The box plan for the season of ' You Can't Take It With Yon ' opens at the D.I.C. on Tuesday, May 8. The 5s and 3s seats are reservabla at no booking fee, for the season.—M-l.