"LADIES IN RETIREMENT"

Hutt News, Volume 20, Issue 43, 23 April 1947, Page 7

"LADIES IN RETIREMENT"

STRONG PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA STvUJE PLAY CROUP'S SUCCESS "Ladies in Retirement," staged in the Waterloo School Hall for three nights last week by the Stage Play Theatre Croup, is a thrilling drama, dealing with a woman's distorted affection for her iwo weak-minded sisters and her resort to murder in order to assure them happiness and security.

Though such a theme, presenting a psychological problem as well as a morbid story, may not be appreciated by every playgoer, there is io doubt that it provides plenty of thrills for an audience. Members of the Stage Play Croup did exceptionally good work. At times a climax was not sufficiently elaborated, and the voice of the prompter was heard too often and too loudly, but on the whole "Ladies in Retirement" was put over very well indeed.

Good Work by Players

Molly Howarth suggested convlncingl> the pent-up tension of Ellen Creed, and the sisters were played cleverly by Elsie Simmers (with a realistic gigglei and Caddy Bishop. Peg Davies as Leonora Fiske. Mons McLeod as Lucy the maid, and Bessi" Anderson as Sister Theresa were well in the picture throughout. Robert Closs, the only man in the cast, made Albert Feather the nasty bit of work thai the author intended; it was a pity that he did not make more oi what should have been one oi the most thrilling scenes in the play the opening of the oven door. The play was produced by Mr. If. A. Painter, and Mr, Lewis Jagger was stage manager. Both carried out their duties well.

The proceeds ol the season went to the Scout Jamboree Fund, and at the close of the final performance Mr. F. L. McKenzie, asslstantCounty Commissioner, thanked the Slag" Play Croup for it:: gonerou" action.