J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12254, 9 April 1935, Page 7

J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

THE WIND AND THE RAIN AND TEN .MINUTE ALIBI

So many requests liave been received by tile J. C. Williamson Ltd. management to stage ''Ten Minute Alibi” in Gisborne that arrangements have now been made to extend the approaching season; and “The Wind and the Rain’’ wiil be staged on Saturday and .Monday next; as previously advertis'd; and on Tuesday next the company will present the thrilling dramatic sensation “Ten Minute Alibi”, which is still attracting- record audiences in London where it has been runnino- continuously for three years. New Zealanders are ■proud of the fact that *‘Thc Wind and the Rain,” ay a s written by I)r. Merton Tlodge. who wats- horn in Gisborne, and who studied medicine at the Otago University and afterwards practised his profession in different parts of New Zealand. Tbs comedy created a profound sensation in London, where it has been running successfully for over Jo months and its author has been acclaimed by well known critics as the best playwright, the English speaking people have kno,wn during the past twenty years. Deriving its title from one of the sonnets of 'Shakespeare set to music “The Wind and the Rain” is brilliantly clever cOmedy-dramai pleas antly human and humorous, with n love motif that, is delicious. The atmosphere fn the students study is said to be very definite. “Mrs McFio, the landlady” wrote a. critic “is ever shuffling, in to tidv on and keep an eye on “the boys.” Sections of n skeleton arc hidden in n bookcase. Above the doorway hang crossed foils and who but Gilbert (Tommy Jay) could have hung on the wall a policeman’s helmet rampant with an upturned beer bottle? The. contrast between the students is indicated by the monotonous beer-drinking of Gilbert and John Williams (R. L. Athol wood), who arrive and depart hanging up and' taking clown coats and golf sticks. while Charles Tritton (George Thirlwcll) waits foi; telephone rings from Ann Hargreaves (Jocelyn Jlowarth). Tt is said that So excellently is “The Wind, and the Rain” interpreted by the J. C. Williamson Ltd., company, that the various char actors may have been specially created and written for them. It is reasonable to expect “The Wind' and the Rain” Jo prove successful in Now Zealand, for its triumphs i' l London, Australia and New York indicate its entertaining value. George Thirlwell, tlie noted London juvenile fen din, man, was specially selected for the loading park by the author himself and it is his brilliant interpretation of it that has assisted in the phenomenal successes widen have been won by “The Wind ancl t, 7 .m Pm,in” in AufltrmY'a and New Zealand. Miss Jocelyn Howarth too has also assisted in this direction by her perfect presentation of tho role of Ann Hargreaves. Others in tho pla.y aro Frank Badly, Harold Nan Taylor, Gwen Munro, Richard Fair, .Ronald Roberts and tho tail ont.edl young English actor Arundel Nixon), who has achieved one of tho best triumphs of his career in tlfb part of Dr Paul Duhamel. The' box plans will be opened at Tattersall and Bayly’s on .-Thursday morning next for “The Wind and the Rain” and “Ten Minute Alibi.”