J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12253, 8 April 1935, Page 7

J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

EXTENSION OF SEASON The J- 0. AVilliamson Ltd. management has now decided to. cxtentl the approaching season of their London company in order to present to playgocris of Gisborne the thrilling drama tic sensation, “Ten Minute Alibi”, which is to he staged on Tuesday night next. “The Wind and the Rain’’ the brilliant and entertaining comedy, which was written by the young Gisborne playwright, Dr. Alevton Hodge will, as originally arranged, he produced at the Opera House on Saturday and Monday evenings, aiul the season will definitely close on Tuesday night with the only representation here of “Ton Alinute Alibi” which is one of the most intriguing plays the English-speaking stage ha,.s yet produced. It is unusual in its construction, it bristles with problems and suspense, and it keeps the audience in a thrilling state of excitement until a minute before the final fall of the curtain. So successful was “Ten Alinute Alibi” in Auckland that ita soason there had to he considerably extended and critics and playgoers alike declared it to be, by far, the best and most entertaining drama ever seen in. New Zealand. Although it is an intensely interesting drama, there is an amount of genuine comedy throughout its throe acts and it unfolds a delightful love romance.

Briefly the story is ns follows: Colin Denvent (George Thirwell) commits a murder. The audience sec, him commit it, and it i,s done with the utmost consideration for their feelings, even to using a pistol with a silencer, and covering the wound, the latter is incidentally a precaution also. Perfectly proper, hut extremely indignant people among the other characters agree without mincing their words that the victim was a “swine.’’’ The man simply asked to be killed, and someone had to do it. “So .sympathetic were the audience” wrote a Sydney critic, “with Derwent, the murderer, that when he dropped his handkerchief, and seemed to he providing a certain clue, hut suddenly noticed and pocketed it, there were exclamations of rolieand an -outburst of applause. There wa-s tension during tne gruelling examination of Denvent by detectives, who were morally certain that lie was guilty, hut were as anxious as tho audience not to prove it, and made concealment between themselves when they failed to -shako his perfect alibi—or so nearly perfect that the detectives could not fault it.” Of course, a play of this kind must be presented by a company of outstanding ability, and in this re. speot the ,T. C. William so n Ltd., management has evidently been fortunate in getting together an incomparable -organisation of comedy and dramatic artists. The leading lady is Aliss Jocelyn Howarth, who will be remembered for her splendid screen performance m “The Squatter’s Daughter”. The company also includes Arundel Nixon, who will play his original London role; Harold C.. Meade,,.a noted London artist ; Frank Bradley, the brilliant character comedian; R. L. Atholwood Russell Chapman, Richard Fair, Tommy Ja, Nan Taylor, Ronald Roberts, Gwen Mnnro, and -other notable artists.

Features of both the productions are the stage setting, and the unique and brilliant lighting effects. The box plans for “The Wind and the Rain” and “Ten Alinute Alibi” will be opened on Thursday morning.