“TEN MINUTE ALIBI”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 65, 13 February 1935, Page 9

“TEN MINUTE ALIBI”

ARRESTING DRAMATIC PLAY. Arresting in its intensity -and unquestionally a dramatic sensation, the successful London play “Ten Minute Alibi” was presented to a large audience at the Palmerston North Opera House, last evening, under the direction of Messrs J. (J. Williamson, Ltd. The remarkable manner of presentation of a hypothetical murder problem, and the mathematical ingenuity with which reality was made the equation of thought was in itself an amazing piece of stagecraft, calling for alert mental perception on tho part of the audience. With a strong emotional cast to inspire the situations with breath-taking fervour, the threads of the production were most dexterously woven into their place. This was not a mystery play leading to a completely illogical denouement. The stock formula for such themes was reversed, and in such a consequential manner as to maintain an atmosphere of suspense relieved only by the eloquent chiming of the fateful clock on the fall of the curtain.

The play concerns the scientifically precise planning of a dream murder, which is then enacted. Unforseen circumstances intrude, and the whole of the third act is given over to the portrayal of police investigations. Briefly, the plot tells of a young woman who is about to elope with an unscrupulous white slaver from South America, led on by pretensions that he will marry her. Before their departure a young man with a genuine affection for the girl arrives and demands her release. All the action of the play takes place in the apartment of the villain. It is here the young man has a lifelife dream when drugged showing how he could murder the South American, who, he knows, has evil intentions, and establish the perfect alibi. He decides to put it into effect. Both the dream and the murder are enacted, with wonderful sangfroid and assurance. The meticulous) care taken to remove clues is constrasted with the demeanour and actions of tho young man when tho dream is replaced by reality. There is an unusual thoroughness and brilliance of finish about the whole performance which brings the audience right into the tense spirit of the play. It required quality acting, cleverness and finesse. These essential elements were fully provided by a powerful company of London and Australian artists, headed by the brilliant young leading man, George Thirlwell, who has been acclaimed one of the finest actors oil the English-speaking stage to-day. He gave a flawless pei~ formanoe as Derwent, being nicely restrained throughout. He gave a fine interprettaion of dual personality and control under emotional stress. His acting during the cross-examination scene was a revelation. Playing opposite him was Miss Jocelyn Howartli, the charming and accomplished screen actress, who appeared in “The Squatter’s Daughter.'' Her characterisation of Betty Findon was vivid and revealed her worth as a dramatic actress. The humour of the piece was provided by a fine character comedian, Mr Frank Bradley, in the role of Inspector-Detective Pember. Mr Arundel Nixon, as Philip Servilla, appeared in the role created by tins talented artist in England. His was a clever portrayal of an unsympathetic role as a bad South American, suave and fascinating to women. Ho succeeded in making himself a very unpopular villain, through liis perfect acting. Natural and dignified as Sir Miles Standing, Harold Meade gave a delightful performance, well worthy of his prominence oil the London stage. The son of a famous actor, and linnself a promising young artist, Mr R. L. Atholwood scored a success as the sinister manservant, though he had little more to do than look like a surly ex-convict. The rapt attention of tile audience throughout the production was a noticeable feature, and appreciation of this fine reception was subsequently voiced by the principal of the cast. A well chosen musical programme was played by Miss Uorotliea Ryan (pianiste) and Air Haydn Murray (violinist). “THE WIND AND THE RAIN.” Great interest is being taken in the presentation to-night of Merton Hodge’s delicious comedy "The Wind and the Ram,” which is still the reigning attraction in England. George Thirlwell, the hero of “Ten Minute Alibi,” is a fine actor, quiet and convincing, and as he does in tlio drama, lie secures all elfect in “The Wind and’the Rain” without any elaborate or violent gesture, liis part, is that of a serious student, Charles Tritton, and it is said he presents it to the very life. Jocelyn llowarth has quite a different part to portray in “The Wind and the Rain” to that which she enacts in “Ten Minute Alibi,” and the two roles show how versatile she is. Tommy Jay plays the part of Gilbert Raymond, who lias been nine, years at a medicat course and is still at it when the play closes. He is said. to present a highly humorous characterisation and he has his audience in roars of laughter tho whole time he is on the stage. The cast also includes Arundel Nixon, Nan Taylor, Gwen Munro, Russell Chapman, Richard Fair. Ronald Roberts and other artists.