'THE WIND AND THE RAIN'

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12530, 16 April 1935, Page 4

'THE WIND AND THE RAIN'

ENr G INBORN KITE'S GREAT PLAY

BRILLIANT SUCCESS AT OPERA HOUSE

Gisborne representatives have won renown in many fields m- e P ’. and the large crowd winch vunted the Opera House last <3V ® nm^ f , undoubtedly agree that Dr ± ‘ Hodge ha® added to the districts laurels with bis brilliant V, “The YVind and the Ram * / ot> ] y from the tremendous success en-, joyed at Home, this wonderful combination -of oomedy arid romance has'truly caught the public imagination. And it would bey remarkable, if ,it did riot do.so. It is a. simple tale of student life in Edinburgh, phases from the lives, in the iifain, of four men, three students aiming at their M.D., ail'd the. other gaged in pout-graduate study. Two girls and. a- landlady are also introduced, end their relationship with the quartette previously ment’.pned provide much of the action. The play provides scintillatingcomedy and last night s aud.ence must have had their heartiest laughs fpr many a long day. Not for a moment can any of the audi-. once have allowed his or her attention to wander from the stage, so enthrallingly interesting was every passage. Dr. Hodge has made extraordinary use of contrast —-the .more serious periods are- promptly followed. by gorgeous coined y and visa versa. To best .define the charm of jthis brilliant composition one ca n most appropriately refer to the complete naturalness of the- whole ueti-on—it is everyday life in the world of students, with the leading characters providing perfect foils to one another. There is pathos at times and there is love, but it is for the exquisitely humorous side that the production will he long remembered. The players are perfectly cast and they are a remarkably talented band. Messrs J. C. Williamson Ltd., merit the warmest congratulations on the excellent presentation We are first introduced to “Mrs McFie’’ (Nan Taylor), a delightfully Scottish landlady who mothers .the students residing with her and taxes the keenest interest in their welfare, so much so that her garrousness has occasionally to he checked by tactful steering into other channels.

“Gilbert Raymond” (Tommy Jay) is the happy-go-lucky soul who has spent many years attempting .to pass* his exams, but finds the highlights a greater magnet than -.-lectures. He likes his “wee drappic”, and he likes the ladies, making no secret of the held these inclinations have on him. ’His : performance can be classed as the best yet seen on a Gisborne stage, and the. laughs he evoked were legion. “Charles Tritton” (George Thirlwell) was. the very conscientious student who came to the Varsity with the set purpose of passing his exams as quickly an possible. He had left a girl behind in London town and then meets another, from New Zealand, in Edinburgh. A sense of ifaitiifulness inclines him to his earlier love, but the New Zealand lassie has his heart and the conflict resulting is splendidly -drawn.. Throughout the role is filled mosl convincingly. “Anne Hargreaves” the New Zealand girl, was played by Janet Johnson with delightful grace and charm. She was an entrancing .figure on the stage and her love passages were marked by a complete absence of the flambuoyancy which often mars. For the success of the play, a very great measure of the credit was undoubtedly due to her. “Dr. Paul Duliamel” (Arundel Nixon) was the friend and adviser of the other students. He has seen life and he knows the pitfalls, so guides the “freshmen" with sympathy and tacr. “J'\U Mannering” (Gwen Munro), :s Charles’s first love, a girl of the restless, pleasure-loving type, always seeking after action and excitement. “John Wilijbms” (R. L. Atliofwood) is another Student, also an earnest worker, who provides a delightful contrast to the gay Gilbert. These three players all give excellent interpretations, as do “Roger Cole” (Richard Fair), a friend of Jills, and “Peter Morgan” (Ronald Roberts) a first-year student, in their smaller roles. The musical programme is very ably provided by Dorothea Ryan, (piano), and Haydn Murray (violin). “The Wind and the Rain” will bo presented for the last time in Gisborne this evening. “TEN MINUTE ALIBf.” TO—DAY’S BIG MATINEE. This afternoon, for the only time in Gisborne, the company will present “Ten Minute Alibi” a play which, lias Won the highest praise from -uritios everywhere. It has been running in London lor three years and now -has tho remarkable distinction of being performed in 23 .different countries. Frank Bradley and Harold Meade are among the actors who will participate in addition to .those in Dr. Hodge’s play. “Tho Wind and the Rain” will E? played at - Rotorua tomorrow and tit Easter iii Auckland, tlio company will present Drinkwatqr’s ‘Bird in Hand.’