ALL SAINTS’ PLAYERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 2

ALL SAINTS’ PLAYERS.

“LILIES OF THE FIELD.”

Performed by the All Saints’ players before a large audience in the Parish Hall last evening, “The Liles of the Field,” a comedy in three acts by John Hastings Turner, was a very bright production. It reflected the greatest credit on the producer, Mrs L. Bennett, especially for her delightful extemporisation of the filial curtain scene. •

Tile cast was as follows;—Rev. John Head, Major J. T. Bosworth; Ann (his wife), Miss M. Penketh; Elizabeth, Miss Muriel Richards, and Catherine, Miss Kathleen Richards (their daughters) ; Mrs Rooke-Walter (Ann’s mother), Mrs Linda Bennett; Barnaby Haddon, Mr L. Callis; Bryan Ropes, Mr Bryan King; Hon. Monica Flane, Miss Phyllis Trask; Lady Susan Rocker, Miss Tliora Bovis; Violet (maid at the Vicarage), Miss Peggy Bovis; Withers (Mrs Walter’s manservant), Mr Morgan. The scene for tho first act was the vicarage at Wideleete, in Gloucestershire. That for the second act was Mrs Walter’s flat, Rutland Gate, London. It had a quaint .old-world atmosphere with its Victorian furniture, antimacassars and aspidistra. The story concerns a visit by their grandmother (a very modern one) to the twins on their birthday. She brings one a present of ten yards of crepe de chine, and the other a month’s holiday in London. She decides that whichever of the two girls most favourably impresses Barnaby Haddon, a young collector of antiques, shall have the trip to London. Catherine pretends to be very coquettish and lovable, while Elizabeth pretends to bo very demure and Victorian in outlook. The latter secures the trip to London, where she sets a fashion in Victorian styles. Barnaby Haddon proposes to her, but she becomes very worried at her pseudo personality and the ultimate prospect of being unmasked as a poseur. Her prospective mother in-law is informed of the situation and complications ensue as to whether Barnaby shall be told or not that lie has been deceived by external appearances. Events are precipitated by a request to Elizabeth to attend the opera in crinolines. Consequently Barnaby attires himself in lace and ruffles. Unable to contemplate the thought of his being made to look foolish, she rushes away and reappears dressed in a new gown, to reveal the innocent duplicity she has practised. Barnaby astonishes, however, by saying he recognises her perfectly. He had been in the secret all the time through overhearing an early conversation at the vicarage. Miss Muriel Richards was charming as Elizabeth and gave a splendid characterisation. Miss M. Penketh was very sweet as Ann, the Vicar’s wife, and Mr L. Callis filled the role of Barnaby Haddon perfectly.