“JACK STRAW”

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1932, Page 4

“JACK STRAW”

At the Town Hall SUCCESSFUL OPENING NIGHT. The Town Hall was well filled last evening, the occasion being the opening night of the season of “Jack Straw,” Somersets Maugham’s delightful com-, edy, which is being presented by The Greymouth Playlovers, a talented amateur company of local artists, who ar* to be congratulated in attempting and so successfully producing an ambitious play of such a nature. Every • ledit must be accorded .the combinaion, and particularly the producer, Mr F. J. Easther, and Mrs J. W. Dickson, whose untiring efforts to render the presentation as realistic as possible fully deserve the -success which was attained lu>t evening. The scenery pray'd a welcome change from the usual dowdy stage appearance, which goes* to show that even the minor points’ which help to make the success of such productions, was not overlooked, and nothing but talent an d hard work on he part of tho- * responsible could have effect d such picturesque settings. Brimful of comedy from start to finish, the play open s the evening in the garden of th e Grand Babylon Hotel in London and among the guv&s there are Lady Wanley and Mr Holland, Mr and Mrs Parker-Jennings, and their family. Mrs Parker-Jennings, who is a very wealthy parvenu, cruelly insults one of Lady Wanley’s guests. In order to be revenged. Lady Wanley and Mr Holland induce “Jack Straw” the waiter, to masquerade as a foreign nobleman, and he is introduced to Mrs Jennings as the Arch Duke Sebastian of Pomerania. The Jennings family make a great fuss of him and invite h : m down to their country home in Cheshire. The second act opens on the afternoon on which Mrs Jennings is giving a garden party in honour of the “distinguished” guest, and her consternation when she discovers that the Arch Duke is merely a waiter is very amusing. Matters become further compl cated when the Ambassador from Pomerania arrives on the scene. ‘Jack Straw,’ however, rises to the occasion, and carries off the whole situation with much aplomb. Then comes the part when Lady Wanley and Mr Holland extricate themselves from a most difficult situation, which brings a most enjoyable play to a happy conclusion.

Orig'nally written for that distinguished actor, the late Sir Charles Hawthrey, the part of ‘Jack Straw’ has delighted thousands of play-goers throughout the English speaking world, It has frequently been presented by amateurs in other parts of New Zealand and The Playlovers are to be congratulated on their enterprise in submitting to the local public a comedy play of world-wide fame, which was much enjoyed by last even ng ’ s large audience, and to-night it is anticipated there will be a sltill larger audience. The entre acts, and incidental music were delightfully rendered by Mr Fred Restieaux’s orchestra, whilst the stage management was in the capable hands of Mr L. D. McGlashan. The furniture was kindly lent by Messrs Harley and Coy. The heaviest task was that of Mr F. Easther, who played the principal part. He was “Jack Straw” to perfection, his work being very intricate and difficult and his portrayal was always of a very high order. As a waiter, he made a hit. and later in the second act as .rhe Arch Duke, he brought forth much merriment, at the home of the

Jennings family, where that family could not be kind enough to.him until he was discovered to be but a common waiter. Following this revelation, ho was seen to even greater advantage in patching up the injured feelings of the wealthy Jennings family. Mr s J. W. Dickson admirably sustained the role of “Mrs Parker-Jennings,” her snobbery at the Grand Babylon Hotel and lat.er her consternation at her country • home, calling for a splendid effort from the performer, which met with a very generous response from the audience. Mr G. Brown taking the part of the haughty “Lord Serio.” distinguished himself in snappy interludes with “Jack Straw,” Miss Maureen Phillips took the part of “Ethel ParkerJenn ngs, ’ 'the daughter, in a very charming manner. It was a very difficult part to play, she having to receive I the embarrassing attention of “Jack Straw’’ and “Lord Serio,” who were both suitors for her hand. Mrs O. Moss as “Lady Wanley.” and Mr J. Bluett as “Ambrose Holland,” on thel^humorous as>ociatio n let the fun of the play lose nothing by their mock solemnity, but when genuine* sincerity was re- < quired they rose to the occasion equally well. Mr F. M. Smyth in the role of “Mr Parker-Jennings ”, was well cast as the wretched husband, who perforce endeavoured to carry out the wishes of a wife, who “wore the ilr Cyril Hanham as Vincent • nings, following in hi s mother’s footstep.*, made the most of the pari, his haughtiness had just that. eleiffcnt of affection .that amuses an audience.- As« 1 the quaint Pomeranian Count Adrian Von Bremer, Mr A. H. Paterson had rather a difficult character to sustain • and was fully equal to it. The remain* ] der of the cast, all of whom gave finish-*! ed performances, on their repeated appearance were Miss M. A. Gardiner, as “Mr s Withers,” Mr E. C. Schnack- 4 enberg. as “Mr Withers,’A Mr F. Roberts, as “Rev. Lewis Mrs H. C. Murch. as RosieVbbot.” • There were numerous other artists, who filled incidental parts, such as waiter, footmen, and guests at the hotel, and* their demeanour in no small manl*., assisted towards the success of the glay. To-night “Jack Straw’’ will be repeat? ed, and this presentation should e draw a packed house.