PRANKS OF PEPYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 211, 5 August 1940, Page 9

PRANKS OF PEPYS

“AND SO TO BED.” REPERTORY PRODUCTION. During the past. eight years the Manawatu Repertory (society lias traversed an extremely wide range of dramatics and comedy in its search for suitable fare, scoring a remarkable degree of success. A “Repertory show” has come to be regarded as a “good show” from all points of view, -and few indeed will cavil at the choice of the Pepys comedy, “And So To Bed” —certainly not with the manner of its presentation. Tile opening performance on Saturday evening, staged in the Empire Hall before an unusually large audience, made a striking impression and left no doubt that the society’s flair for thoroughness lias not deteriorated. Miss Babette Rodgers, who adds another success to a growing list of well-produced plays, exercised commendable care in selecting her cast, securing a splendid admixture of experienced and new players, and in every ease the characterisation was excellent. A pleasant concoction of deceit, beauty, love, humour and jealousy after the best style of the famous diarist, the play presents considerable scope for tliougliful acting: much initiative and restraint are called for, hut Alias _ Rodgers had the advantage of an intelligent gioup of players who thoroughly entered into the spirit of the occasion. “And So to Bed,” of course, has an immediate advantage over more modern productions: Its extremely colourful atmosphere of period costuming and furnishing—renlete to the last ruffle—was an immediate attraction, and the illusion was splendidly sustained. In every respect it might he considered a worthwhile play excellently produced and convincingly acted.

_AVithin the space of eight hours a great deal may occur to give delight and anguish, consolation and bewilderment. So Samuel Pepys, his wife, his friend, and his King all discovered. Cast in the role of the diarist’s wife is Airs L. Dolby, who is entrusted with a very exacting task. It would be difficult to more convincingly bring Airs Pepys to life: Arch when the mood takes her; suspicious of her husband (often with good reason); charming and exact when circumstances allow, she is a quixotic character who finds her King’s attentions too overpowering for a brief spell, but makes small allowance for her husband’s weakness. Airs Dolby gives a capital performance, carefully avoiding over-acting and always having her emotions under a firm rein. Her work is altogether thorough. Alistrces Knight, “the singing woman,” whose tame and voice claim the attention ot both King aud Naval Secretary, is a colourful character, vivacious and charming. Aliss Joan Alurphy, a newcomer to repertory productions in the city, but obviously by no means a novice in this type of work, is a distinct success. Her pleasing personality, well-modulated delivery and nice singing voice, and generally attractive presence, do lull justice to the role and, os in the case of Airs Dolby, it is to be hoped she will be given further opportunities. Aliss Elia Offwood plays the part of Lettice (maid to Alistress Knight) with very fine discernment, losing no opportunity to impart importance to the piece. Similarly attractive are Aliss K. Richards as Airs Knepp and Aliss R. Lees as Airs Pierce (unwelcome triends of Pepys), also Aliss M. Eorrest as Julia and Miss J. Davidson as Sue, both of whom find Pepys an admirer. Miss AI. Reid, as Doll (a blackamoor), is exceedingly well madeup and handles her role with fine understanding. Air T. Ai. N. Rodgers takes the part of I’ejiys with conspicuous success. It is quite a while since Air Rodgers has been seen, and he makes a most welcome return. As the ingratiating, woefully deceitful, susceptible civil servant of many parts (and as many weaknesses) he is the fulcrum upon which the play hinges, and always he fulfils expectations. Experience and insight stamp his work as thorough, and consistently there is the quality of savoir faire. Charles 11., “Merry Alonarch,” dignified and dissolute at will,. calls for studied attention. As charming as he is sometimes unkingly, always “questing peace, quiet, and beauty,” he is a complex character. Air AI. H. Oram, whose thoroughness is equalled by his vast experience’, plays the part excellently, giving it the maximum of life and sparkle. It is superfluous to remark upon his complete mastery of the role.

Air C. Cronin, who doubles for a watchman and Polling (the crony of the diarist), gives a fine performance, as does Dr. A. de Berry in the part of the vain Francophile, Pelham Humphrey. Air C. Jamieson (boy to Pepys) and Air 1. Campbell (Prodgers, groom of the liedchamher) handle smaller parts with scarcely loss skill. Specially commendable are the wardrobe (for which Airs N. A. Nash is responsible), furnishings (Aliss K. N. AVoodhouse), and associated features, in particular the beautifully na.inted chest (the work of Airs E. Bendall) and the well-executed portraits by Air R. H. Billens. Every phase of the play has received thorough attention. The proceeds are in aid of the Red Cross funds, and on Saturday night Red Cross nurses were in charge of the programmes. The season will ho continued at the Enmire Hall t6-night and to-morrow night.