“THE FAKE.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 2

“THE FAKE.”

Frederick Lonsdale, the author of “Aren’t We All,” “The Last of Mrs Choynoy,” and “Tho Balkan Princess,” is .well and favourably known to tho English public. Another of his outstanding stage successes, “The Fake,” is being presented by the Palmerston North Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society in a three night season commencing on Thursday evening next at tho Opera House. The play is a problem one. Mavis Stanton (daughter of Edward Stanton, M.P.) marries Hon. Ger rard Pilliek, who develops a craving for drugs and intoxicants. Five years of mental stress and unhappiness for Mavis then follow. When the strain on tho harrowed wife becomes unbearable, Geoffrey Sands, a friend of the family, takes a hand. He inveigles Pilliek into a jaunt to the seaside for a rest euro and whilst at an hotel there he contrives to suggest suicide to the drug fiend. How the plot eventually unfolds and ends in the happy release of Mavis is well and cleverly developed. Tense dramatic scenes mark the second act during which the audience is requested to maintain silence. Tho ability _ with which tho various actors handlo their parts has been described as a revelation by competent critics. Amateurs in Palmerston North have often been commended for the high standard of their efforts, but tho present production surpasses even tho results achieved in ■ “Interference,” which is remembered as an outstanding example of excellent amateur acting. Many players known to local audiences are again taking part—Mrs D. J. Davies, Misses Gwen Gibbs, Betty Mcßae, B. Rodgers and B. Ross and Messrs C. N. Rabone, M. H. Oram, T. M. N. Rodgers, E. G. Seeker, E G. Spraggon, N. Ellison, and H. Driver. The play is being produced by Mr Fred Cousins, whose work as a producer always sots a high standard. The box plans open at the Central Booking office on the 13th inst (hon. members of tho society may book on November 12).