THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 160, 22 June 1935, Page 3

THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

Hastings Players’ Performance YOUNG MEMBERS TAKE PART Three capably-acted playettes were presented by the Hastings Players to a large attendance at the Oddfellows’ Hall last night. They were “The Eleventh Hour,’’ dramatised by the producer, Mr Stanley A. Warwick, from lan. Hay’s “A Bit of Life,” “The Understudy,” and “The Green Monkey.” With barely an exception the casts acquitted themselves excellently, a fact which may, from the viewpoint of the future of the Players be considered reassuring, since the casting included a number of the younger members. Not the least contribution to the success of the plays was that Mr Warwick, in addition to having produced them, took part in his own accomplished way in “The Understudy,” in which he acted as the producer of the amateur play about which the plot centres. In explanation of the last of the three plays, “The Green Monkey,” a parody on W. W. Jacobs’s “The Monkey’s Paw,” Mr Warwick gave a summary of the latter play in fine dramatic style. The casts were as follow “THE UNDERSTUDY.” Comedy by H. E. H. Tracy. Jack Preston, an amateur player ... Neil Appleby. Mrs Freston, a leading lady (amateur) ... Wendy Patston. Mrs Capon, a second lead (amateur) ... Nola Marshall. Mr Jacques, the producer A. Stanley Warwick. A schism develops in the ranks of the players of a small amateur theatrical company; both Mrs Freston and Mrs Capon write to Jacques, each complaining that if the other is allowed to take part in the play she will withdraw. This, says Jacques, is a common occurrence; but he plans to put an end to it. This he does with the aid of a fictitious understudy. The withdrawal of either of the complainants, he asserts, will be quite immaterial, for “Mrs Nesbitt” will be able to step into the breach. Under this threat, and at the point of a little diplomacy on Jacques’s part the ladies wilt and prefer to keep their pride and their animus in their respective pockets. Mr 'Warwick carried the greater part of the play, and lie plied his points splendidly. The little thrusts and parries of parochial rivalry were capably managed by both Miss Marshall and Miss Patston. Mr Appleby, too, was capable in his part; but he should not allow his voice to drop at the ends of his words. “THE ELEVENTH HOUR” Dramatised by A. Stanley Warwick from “A bit of Life”, by lan Hay. Philip Meldrum, an engineer and inventor i '.ck Clifton. Tim Rendell, his friend Ralph Caro. Mr Grice, caretaker at the fiat Bryan Appleby. Mrs Grice, his better half Grace Fuller. Peggy Falconer, Philip’s good friend Helen Waugh. Dramatisation of this little story has resulted in quite a charming oneact play. Just as Meldrum has made up his mind to propose to Peggy, she comes to his flat to tell him that his friend Tim has just proposed to her. He advises her to marry Tim; but while he is absent summoning a taxi for her she finds and opens the letter in which he has proposed to her. Tim calls for her, and as they leave Peggy calls, “Don’t forget to post your letter.” Ho tears it open and finds that Peggy has written that she accepts him. Mr Clifton and Miss Waugh carried the play along nicely over some admittedly difficult parts. Mr Appleby and Miss Fuller had little to do, but did it well, though, if anything were perhaps not quite fully acquainted with the type of character they were portraying. Mr Caro was a little nervous; that prevented his voice from carrying too well, and he perhaps lost a little of the point in his lines. “THE GREEN MONKEY.” A farce by Victor Bridges. Bruce Latimer Mick Clifton. Billy Grant, his friend .. Erie Heaton. Cynthia, Bruce’s fiancee .... Nola Marshall. Lady Raymond, Cynthia’s mother .. Alix Rochfort. Mrs Jones, Bruce’s landlady . - Margaret Nutter. Mr Jones, husband of Mr Jones Bryan Appleby. Latimer is bequeathed a small green monkey in effigy, an emblem upon which he is allowed four wishes. He wishes to be irresistible to all women; to be as rich as an American copper millionaire; and to live forever. The first wish leads to all sorts of complications; as to the second, the millionaire upon whoso wealth he based his wish commits suicide as a bankrupt; and matters become so complicated that he expends the fourth wish unwishing the others. It was splendidly-acted farce, in which the whole east acquitted itself with merit. As an entracte Miss M. Marshall sang four contralto solos, “Western Wind,” “Lie There, My Lute,” “Trees,” and “Danny Boy.”