LITTLE THEATRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21580, 6 December 1944, Page 5

LITTLE THEATRE

“TWO MRS CARROLLS” AMBITIOUS* EFFORT The assembly hall at the Gisborne Hi eh School lasi, evening saw the initial pr - senlatioii hy tlio Old Students’ Little 'l’her.tre prroup of tile three-net play “The Two Mrs. Carrolls/’ by Martin Vale. 'The action «d the play takes .place in a villa in Piow-ace ID.'IS and coricc-rn.-; Ihi - disillusiorirnrnt <»j a second wife who enters her new horn* 1 wiih the briichtest of holies, only io find that her husband is a calculatin'!: and determined philanderer. rloakiiiK his activities under the “search for beauty,” which he justifies by his reputation as a risimr youny artist. The parts of the two Mrs. Carrolls were ts!.-n by Mrs. M. Itell and Miss M. Kemp r.vp-cGv* ly. Mi,- Belir porfrayiup the divotfed wife of ; lie- artist, a woman of iiiiU’h woildly knowled-f and possessing a Let o syrnpathv for the y.vuiK woman v.lm had followed her iu the infections of Geoffrey Carroll. Both these parts were extremely well handled, and the players offered an exeellefii contrast as between rue older experienced woman and the v.ay youaj.: bride. Miss Kemp's shailiuK of lur performance, as hi r association with Carroll chanio’d hi r from a charminv; youn.K bride full of the joy of life into a sad and disillusioned woman, was a feature of the pre-•-illation, and mad.- a Hc.lt impression on the audience. Mr. Owen Saitcrley. in Ihe character of Geoffrey Carroll, was asked to carry 100 heavy a pari. tic did well, however, and towards the close of Ihe play lm was thoroughly< at home in his. lines. IDs lion! sc. iic with his second wife was his hern work of the evening. Mr. B. Jinlee. as Ik miinvton, a lifelony; admirer of the second Mrs. Carroll, .uave a Kood portrayal ol a sober and reliable yount? man, anxious to do ilia host for the you UK bride and hopiny: for a favour;.hie turn of events on his own account. Miss Audrey Harvey performed w« 11 the part of a no itch hour, full of ready sympathy and not inexperienced in tho ways of the world; and Miss Cluirmian Gilmer was pleasiitK in the i»art. of a sophisticated youn.K widow, playinK Jitr part with a t ?su ,, .Mnce and boiny: always in character. Miss Hazel Meredith also was successful as a Provencal maid, hoydenish and naive, tllls part oTrriny; a yood foil to the sophistication ol the other characters. Mr. Harold Dunn, an Dr. Tuttle, filled a minor role with an adeipiM.' perfornialtce. Miss O. E. Tlardinjr received many roiiipliments on the success of her production, and the staye management of Miss Jeanette McCarthy was also commented upon TavourAhly. 'l’he play is to be renoated to-night.