“WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES?”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3432, 21 August 1926, Page 10

“WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES?”

POPULAR REVIVAL OF POPULAR COMEDY. REPEAT PERFORMANCE TO-NIGHT. The public-spirited action of tho Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society in presenting the popular farce comedy. “What Happened to Jones’’ for tho benefit of Palmerston's unemployment fund was greatly appreciated by the largo audience tnat assembled at the Opera House last evening and at tho conclusion of a most onjoyiible profonnance hearty and spontaneous applause greeted the artists. This was, of course, no more an appreciation of their generosity than a well-deserved recognition of the really fine all-round presentation of the play. Now almost a classic, "What Happened to Jones” is ono of the world’s best-loved comedies. Although it belongs to another generation, somehow tho story retains a freshness anfi vigour where many later works have long since faded sadly. There will always bo a warm welcome for tho irrepressible hymn-book agent with playing cards as a profitable sideline, turned bishop for a brief but hectic period. Few plays develop more absurdly awkward or genuinely humorous situations, and the comedy in these was cleverly exploited last evening. The sprightly Jones, who is tho soul and centre of tho plot, was presented in a delightfully natural way by Mr. F. O. Bridgeman, who dominated the stage for most the whole time he was on it—-which was almost alway’s. Apart from a tendency to rush his lines particularly when the audience was applaud trig, a fault common to all the performers— Mr. Bridgeman gave a really fine delineation of famous character, quite unorthodox but quite convincing. Ho was ably seconded in the male comedy work by Mr. F. Grotty, who got right inside the personality of the professor of anatomy, and gave a decidedly clever characterisation of ei very correct elderly gentleman suffering untold agonies of apprehension for his one wild escapade. Among the lady members of tho cast who carry so large a sharo of the dialogue, Miss' Ethno Swan as the gay Cissy, showed exceptional talent, and her little affairs with Jones, alias the bishop, were amongst the best bits of work of tho evening. Miss A. Greening's "Alvina,” tho very elderly fiancee of tho long-ovcrduo cleric, was delightful, really one of tho best of her kind seen for.a very long time. Mrs. Sparring, as the extremely proper wife of the professor of anatomy, convinced by a natural presentation with just enough cariacature to give zest and humour. A most natural and graceful daughter was “Marjorie” of Miss Doris Symes, while Miss Moira Pawson was sufficiently "intellectual” for a student of evolution. In strong contrast the Swedish servant girl of Mrs. Sedgwick was painted in primary colours, and gave tho needed foil to the more correct feminine characters. Mr. C. S. Brown, as tho real bishop, had to steer a difficult course between looking merely foolish and being really funny, and on the whole he succeeded admirably. Mr. Eric Lind was quite an acceplable lover, Mr. A. Shepherd a sufficiently insane lunatic, Mr. S. London a fierce enough policcman, and Mr. L. Ormsby a safe asylum custodian.

During an interval the Mayor {Mr. E. J. Nathan) extended the thanks of the citizens to all who had assisted. He announced that up to last evening over £175 had been raised for the Palmerston fund by the efforts of the Wanganui amateurs, and he trusted that another large audience would greet them this evening. At the Mayor’s call a rnosly hearty round of applause was accorded the visiting artists. The incidental music of a nicely balanced orchestra was much enjoyed.