‘THE PRECIOUS YEARS’

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 18

‘THE PRECIOUS YEARS’

ANOTHER PACKED HOUSE. CONCLUDING PERFORMANCE. Gieeted by another capacity audience at the Opera House last evening, the jubilee play “The Precious lea.rs had its second and concluding successful presentation. The play again proved a worthy, contribution to°the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the presentation was one of the best yet seen in amateur productions here: every member of the cast made an excellent contribution. The orchestra again were heard to advantage in numbers that were both pleasing and fitting to the atmosphere of each particular phase of the story. A striking tribute to the producer, Mrs R. W. Mcßeath, the authors, Messrs H. L. Verry and Winston Davis, and the performers was naid at the conclusion by the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford). Mrs Mcßeath, lie said, had many wonderful presentations to her credit, and as far as Palmerston North was concerned she had certainly produced another winner. Mr Mansford introduced Mrs Mcßeath, who was presented with a beautiful bouquet. Messrs Davis and Verry, the Mayor added, had written a play concerning the city, a play that was both interesting and beneficial. “They could not have produced it at a more opportune time that at the jubilee of the city.” On behalf of the Jubilee Committee, of which he is chairman, the Mayor thanked the audience for their patronage, the orchestra and all others who had assisted in making the presentation of the jubilee plav such an outstanding success. It had been suggested to him that the play might be again presented to contribute toward the Alan Loveday Fund. He thought that in view of such a worthy object the matter would probably be well supported. Bouquets and gifts innumerable were conveyed to the assembled cast, who made their bows to a highly pleased audience, bringing to ail end a colo" "'d cn+''r+.iimnent.

In passing, it should be mentioned thiu L,ie pa j played by the children in the prorlu 'ion were outstanding. Dorothy McKegg entered in the spirit of her part and danced a charming old-tiine measure to the quaint tinkle of a musical box. A dainty little person was Janet Holmes, who looked like a mid-Victorian maid in her frilled pantalettes, and Margaret Henderson, too ,in her cashmere and buttoned boots, completed a dainty trio. Praise is due also to Amos McKegg, jurir., and Jack Muir, who gave clever characterisations. CAST ENTERTAINED.

Messrs W. Davis and Verry later entertained members of the cast, the producer, and all who had assisted in any way, at a supper party, Mrs R. Davis acting as hostess. The Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs A. E. Mansford, and Mrs F. J. Nathan were also present. At an opportune moment, Mr A. McKegg, on behalf of the cast, asked Mrs Mcßeath to accept! an album of autographed photographs to remind her of the happy party who had taken part in “The Precious Years,” and of their appreciation of all she had done for them. Musical honours and cheers were accorded Mrs Mcßeath.

In reply, Mrs Mcßeath expressed her pi-ide and gratification of the success of the jubilee play, which, she said, was the result of the wholehearted co-operation of all those connected with it. It had been the first joint effort of the two authors—a clever idea cleverly carried through. For the splendid suport that had been received from Mr McGrath, members of the orchestra and many others, and for the personal tribute accorded her, Mrs Mcßeath voiced her thanks. Mr C. McGrath and members of the orchestra who had generously given their services were at this stage accorded musical honours and cheers. Albums, siinilar to that given to Mrs Mcßeath. were presented to the authors, Mr McKegg, paying a tribute to the play and the effort they had put into it. He expressed the hope that their plays might he presented on Broadway and in London in the not far distant future, when the Palmerston North cast would remember with pride how they had taken part in this .first production. Mr Verry, in acknowledging the gift, remarked that the success of the play’s presentation had made it a proud occasion, made possible only by the work of Mrs 'Mcßeath and the assistance so generously given. Mr Davis also returned thanks.

3 5 109 3 6 164 C L. W. TJrquhart ... ... 1 6 167 2 6 129 3 5 132 Mrs A. W. Revell 5 161 •A 4 93 3 -5 200 D. M. Peek ... 1 7 139 'A 0 93 •3 6 125 M. Stephenson ... 1 3 122 •A 3 113 3 6 156 J. T. Hazelwood .'. .* 1 0 107 2 7 191 3 5 87 Sunny River P.F .*.. 1 4 163 2 6 188 3 0 127 Walter Scott ... 1 5 158 2 4 144 3 7 177 Mrs N. Lilley 6 132 Mrs J. Tippett 5 136 Airs It. It. Cannon 5 113 V. G. Adams 5 107 A. C. Donnelly 6 120 C. Htynsen 5 137 A. A. Hoare 6 161 Whonuapai P.F 6 167 Miss E. Ladd 4 149 Crawford Strang 5 143 Ancona Stud P.F 6 170Brown Leghorns— Airs W. Busby 2 84 Aneonas — ■ Ancona Stud P.F. 5 74 Minorca* — Miss D. Swadling 5 108 W. Sellars 5 73 DUCKS. Fawn and White Indian Runners L. P. James ... 1 0 69 2 7 122 3 5 51 II. II. Melville ... 1 0 161 •A 7 136 3 5 168 Airs A. W. Revell 7 224 Khaki Campbell— Mrs E. Kelly ... 1 5 181 , 2 7 243 3 7 235 Ancona Stud P.F. 5 176 THREE-BIRD TEAMS : HEaVY BREEDS. Thos. Dowthwaite, B.O. . 0 5 7—12—412 Norman Ross, B.O 5 b 6—16—510 Mrs F. ,A. Warren, B.O. . 4 6 4—14—444 Ancona Stud P.F., Aus. < b 4 0—10—339 J. H. Hurdle, Aus b 0 5—10—380 Airs II, Moreland, Aus. ... b 4 6—15—509 Miss D. R. J. Playle, Aus. 6 2 3—11—251 W. A. Larsen, Aus 6 6 5-17-431 S. T. Bason, Lang b 6 5—17—442 Geo. A. Edge, R.I.R. . i 0 4 3— 7—482 LIGHT BREEDS. Cotswold P.F., W.L. ... ft 5 6—17—376 C.'L. W. Urquhart, W.L. b b 5—17—418 Mrs A. W. Revell, WlL. . 5 4 5—14—454 D. M. Peek, W.L. 7 0 6—13—357 M. Stephenson, W.L. ... 3 3 6—12—396 J. T. Hazelwood, W.L. ... 0 7 5—12—386 Sunny River P.F., W.L. ■ 4 6 0—10—473 Walter Scott, W.L 5 4 7—16—479 DUCKS. L. P. James. I.R 0 7 5-12-242 II. H. Melville, l.R. ... 0 . 7 5—12—515 Mrs E. Kelly, IC.C 5 7 7—19—659