"IF WINTER COMES."

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2778, 20 October 1923, Page 5

"IF WINTER COMES."

AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE Those who have read Mr A. S, M. Hutchinson's novel, "If Winter Comes," could not resist the opportunity of witnessing, Mr B. McDonald Hastings' dramatised stage version of the story, which was before a large audience at the Opera House last evening by J. C. Williamson's new English Comedy Company Around those fe%v vords'of Shelley, "Oh, wind, if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" are woven a play With an irresistible note of human appeal, ahd when handled by last evening's combination of finished artist's, every sentiment and every meaning in the words is revealed. The story represents an incident during the days of the Great War, when England was stirred with patriotism and wji'cn those at home were expected to contribute their mite cansc of freedom. In a little village near Tidborough, Mark Sabre existed under difficulties' with his wife Mabel, both victims of a loveless marriage, and the story, as interpreted for the stage,'draws out an amazing net of events which may eventuate through people becoming slaves to unnecessary convention. Regardless of anything suggestive of convention, Mark Sabre (Mr Garry Marsh) cort. stituted a character human and Sacrificing, unselfish in temperament—

even in the face of social ruin. Miss Isobel Wilford, in the role of Eflle Bright, gave an illuminating characterisation of emotional acting', and depicted "with splendid realism the happy girl of to-day, on the one hahd, and the disillusioned woman of the niorrbw on the Her winsome ways and .her expressive, though timid, worship of her benefactor and friend, touched a human chord. Miss Jane Savlle, as Mabel Babre, the distant wife who treated everything with an exasperating indifference' and lack of appreciation, was the antithesis of her enthusiastic husband. In her portrayal of Ladv Nona Tybar, Miss Ailsa Grahame handled a delicate part with infinite realism, and displayed to a fine thread the effect of suppressed emotion. Infused into the theme was a happy vein of humour, which is placed at just that moment when relief from drama is required. Mr Twyning (Mr Arthur Gornell), the sleek, crafty individual who maliciously sought to damage Sabre's character, was opportunely associated with the Rev. Sebastian Fortune (Mr George Blunt), a fair-minded, though somewhat misguided minister of the Gospel,. In the character of Mr Bright* the father of the unfortunate Erne, Mr J t P. Atholwood portrayed the broken man to perfection when faced with his. daughter's shame. Through the merciless web of circumstance, Sabre struggled, accepting his trials with grace, and in the final scene, when documentary evidence in his possession would have vindicated his good name, to save his enemy Twyhing the shame of the knowledge of his eon's guilt, he consigned the papers to the fire. Other characters were: Major Millet, Mr Sidney Stirling; Rebecca Jinks, Miss George Har_ vey; Sarah Jinks, Miss Lorna Helms; the.coroner, Mr H. H. Wallace; tho solicitor, Mr Reginald Wykeham; the chemist, Mr Robert Geddes; the coroner's clerk, Mr William Laver; the policeman, Mt Wilfred Morgan; the typiste, Miss Lilyan Nightingale. Among the orchestral selections, were: "King Mydas" (Eilenberg);! "If Winter Comes" (Gideon);, "Closer"; "Cardena Mine"; "All Muddled u;p"; "Don't be too Sure," and selections from "Maid of the Mountains."