J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12526, 11 April 1935, Page 7

J. C. WILLIAMSON COY.

THE WIND AND THE RAIN AND TEN MIN DTE ALIBI

T(ho box plans will bo opened this morning at TattersaU ■ and Bnylv’s for the two presentations of Dr. Merton Hodge’s brilliant comedy triumph ‘The Wind and the Bain’ which is to he staged at the Opera Ilouso on Saturday and Monday next ■turd for the only prod notion of the world’4 J most successful dramatic sensation ‘.Ten Minute Alibi” which is to he performed on Tuesday night next by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. London comedy anj dramatic company. The fact that ‘‘The Wind 1 and the Bain” was written by a Gisborne playwright, has nnturrtly increased the interest. in this comedy, which has been running continuously in London during the past eighteen months, rnd so successful has “Ten Minute Alibi” proved that it. is at present being placed in no less than 2fl different countries. ‘Once again,” wrote a Sydney critic ‘‘si pfay has come to Sydney which combines sparkling dialogue, comedy, sentiment and charm, to provide- an evening of ddightfnl entertainment. At last night’s gala premiere ‘The AVinj and the Bain’ lilew and showered all those essential ingredients of true comedy into a. packed 1 auditorium, which showed iitst appreciation (with a succession, of laughs.” Dr Merton Hodge, the yo-ung New Zealander, who based pfiay upon his experiences of University life in Edinburgh, .’gained his first knowledge of the stage through amateur work, some of it .(taring the various capping ceremonies during the years he studied at toe Otago University, Dunedin. It so happened that he, a doctor, should have written a, play for which Celia Johnson, a daughter of a doctor. Should have been chosen by the producer f° r the part of Anne Hargreaves; the heroine, for the, London production at St. Martin’s Theatre, where it lias been running continuously for 15 months. George Thirl well, who will appear as Charles Tritton is a brilliant young London actor. His part is that of a serious student and he presents it to life. Jocelyn Hovvarth 1 is sai t | to he the ideal person for the role of Anne Hargreaves, and Arundel Nixon, a talented young Eng lish actor, is happily east as Dr Paisf Duhamel. Tommy Jay, R. L. Atholwood, Nan Taylor, Given Munr° Richard Fair, Ron Roberts. Frederick Hughes are also- in the cast. ‘ “TEN MINUTE: ALIBI” Tli©,; success achieved by ‘Ten Minute Alibi” to be screened on Tuesday night, iii Australia is without a. precedent, its run there exceeding twelve months, (which is a record run for a dramatic: production/ As an entertainment “Ton • Minute Alibi” is hard to beat, its . thrill ins dramatic situations being ! interspersed: with original an c | clever comedy. Those who want a mystery play, that has no mystery, and yet possesses the absorbing interest of one, will have their, craving fully satisfied. Everywhere tbits play has Itct> heads have been shaken' in mystification. Yet actually there is no mystery. The ’audience witnesses the murder thus eliminating the usual mystery element. But it is the alibi that enthrals and intrigues.