"HEAT WAVE"

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 9, 8 December 1943, Page 2

"HEAT WAVE"

The Manawatu Repertory Society deserves high praise for its suocessful presentation of Roland Pcrtwee's difficult play, "Heat Wave" (adapted from the story by Denise Robins). The season began in the Opera House last night. The story concerns the lives of English people in the Indian tropic?, where monotony and boredom are the fertile soil for suspicion and distrust. The play gives an insight into the emotions which direct the actions of those who come under the influence of the East. The principal character is Hugh Dawltry, a plantation owner who has made a success of his business venture, but is the victim of suspicion and evil report. He vhooscs to let his detractors have their way, but turns out to be a man of character, courage, and self-control. He is in love with the wife of George March who is ready to believe the worst against him. The wife is found by her husband in Dawltry's flat, and the wrong construction is placed on the incident, leading to a pistol shot and an ugly situation, which, however, is neatly handled bv the author .and brings about an interesting sequel. The story is a good psychological study and has many subtle and clever lines. It calls for much study and analysis by the performers, and last night's presentation gave evidence that thoss taking the parts had given much thought to their work, while the acting throughout was of a high standard. As John Dawltry, Mr J. Kitchen had a very difficult part, calling for careful treatment and good acting. He knows that he is the victim of those who are jealous of his success and are keen to get possession of his plantation, and that his enemies have taken every opportunity to blacken his character. He is denounced as a drinker and one of whom no good word is said. Mr Kitchen showed good judgment in the way he spoke his part and in his acting, and his performance was greatly appreciated. George March, who is "Dawltry's bitter enemy was presented by Mr'_G. Driver. The part calls for vigorous treatment, though tragedy looms up. and March becomes . distracted when in his anger he fires the pistol and believes that he has killed Dawltry. Mr Driver was at his best in this part of the story and handled the desperate situation well. Mr W. Pringle was cast as Nicholas Fayno, the youthful lover of George March's sister. He had no difficulty in presenting his part capably. Mr A. Gibson was the peace-loving Dr. Muir, who desired to be the friend of everyone in the English community. He sustained the part clever'y, acting it with just that touch of fussiness that was desired. Mr C. Cronin as James Wcysmith, the officer of the law, sustained . his part well and was at his best in the scone in which March calls him late at night and confesses that he has killed Dawltry. Mr R. Haddon. as Bahadur Khan. Dawltry's attendant, had but a small (speaking part, but he did his work well and acted correctly. The principal character for the ladies taking part was that of Philippa March and it was performed very tastefully by Mi«s M._ Mortland, whose clear and well-modulated voice, together with her good acting, appealed to the audience. She reached a high standard of performance in the scene in Dawltry's bungalow. Reno March, the girl who is madly but unsuccessfully in love with the plantation owner, was played with zest by Miss K. Richards. She entered who'.eheartodly into her work, and gave a good performance. Miss J. Marshall played light-heartedly the character of Mrs Wcysmith and made the most of her limited opportunities. An attractive performance was that given by Miss B. Francis, who, as a Burmese "woman Mamoena, had but few lines to speak, but acted her part well. Misses T. Johnston and H. Smith appeared as two Burmese boys, and played their parts neatly. The frocking was tasteful and the colour schemes very attractive. The scenery was well designed and gave a suitable Eastern atmosphere. To the producer, Mr F. Cousins, praise is due for the success of the performance. He was capably assisted by .Mr W. M. Webster as stage manager. Messrs Webster and C. Briggs were responsible for the scenery. Miss N. Braddell had charge of the stage furnishings and the hairdressing; Mrs J. Davidson attended to the properties and Mhs M. Mortland to the make-up. Mrs C. Craven was prompt and Mrs A. Gibson was responsible for the house management. Popular music was provided during the intervals between the acts by Mrs R. Inkpen (piano), Mr W. J. Inkpen (violin) and Mr R. Inkocn (drums). The audience showed by its frequent applause that it greatly appreciated the performance, which will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night.