KEPEETOEY PLAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 209, 2 August 1940, Page 9

KEPEETOEY PLAY

RICH COSTUMING. Tho days of the “Merry Monarch,” Charles ii, aiforded one of the most graceful and picturesque periods in j the history of costume. Ladies wore a 1 close-fitting bodice cut low in the neck and softened with lace or neckerchief, lull puffed sleeves and trim waistline pointed over the full skirt, which was i sometimes looped up in panniers to ■ show a rich underskirt. The gentlemen 1 ruffled in plumed beaver hats and I magnificent brocaded coats and vests! over full knee-breeches. Their rich ; colours were set off by ruffles at neck and wrist. The long curling periwig was the vogue, while ladies wore clusters of curls, dancing coquettishly beside their cheeks. These are the types of costume which will be seen in the amusing comedy chosen by the Manawatu Repertory Society for its major production, “And So To Bed” (J. B. Fagan), which opens for a three nights season on Saturday. Attractive colour schemes have been chosen for the many characters introduced in this story of Samuel Pepys, the great diarist and Secretary of the Navy. This part is played by Mr T. M. N. ltodgers, who wears a .maroon suit with a white cravat for his first appearance and later a rose and gold brocade coat with a blue brocade vest and a large beaver hat* with white feathers.

Doll “a blackamoor,” is played by Miss M. Reid who wears a frock of crushed raspberry with white neckerchief and holland apron; and Miss J. Murphy, as Mrs Knight 1 appears in a eerise and blue dress with a cream overskirt. Later she changes to a lovely creation of salmon pink brocade with a cream net fichu and undersleeves. Miss R. Lees, as Mrs Pierce, wears reseda green satin; and Miss K. Richards, as Mrs Ivnepp, appears in floral brocade with apricot overdrapes. Mrs Pepys, played by Mi's 11. Dolby, wears a charming gown of pale blue with an overdress of midnight blue, changing to a dressing gown of nile green. Mr M. H Oram, as King Charles, is suitably regal in a gold brocade suit with a gold and royal blue cloak and a black beaver hat. Other characters are: Humphrey (Dr A. de Berry), who wears cherry and parchment; Lettice (Miss E. Offwood), apple green frock, holland apron, white neckerchief and undersleeves; Sue (Miss J. Davidsou), pale blue frock with panniers of darker blue figured material, white neckerchief; a boy (Mr C. Jamieson), black and grey; Prodgers, groom of the bedchamber (Mr I. Campbell), brown and blackj Julia (Miss M. Forrest), beige patterned frock with holland apron and kerchief.' Mr C. F. Cronin doubles the parts of Pelling, for which he wears black and crimson brocade with a white cravat and black hat, and a Watchman, in a black cloak.

The first and third acts take place in the dining room of Pepy’s house, which is furnished in Jacobean style with blue velvet curtains and blue and red tapestry hangings, and the second act is a bedroom scene carried out in green and gold in Italian Renaissance style. A feature of this scene is a beautifully painted chest, the work of Mrs F. Bendall, while the portraits in the other scenes were painted by Mr R. H. Billons. Miss Babette Rodgers is the producer, Mrs N. A. Nash is responsible for the wardrobe, and Miss K. N. Woodhouse for the furnishings.