THE TIVOLI

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6886, 16 April 1929, Page 3

THE TIVOLI

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” One wonders why it is that the cri- : tics so seldom commend a play which , has the elements of public popularity. ; Is it bccauso their standards are entirely different from the standards of ; the public, or is it because they are , jaded with much theatre going, until , they only enjoy something that is entirely novel or wholly bizarre! The ; critics did not as a rule commend ; “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” AVhen I saw it the other night, I was delighted with it, writes a critic, and apparently everyone in the crowded theatre was a 3 appreciative as I was of the production The story is not a new one, of course) but it is a great one, and it will live as long as the memory of slavery days survives. Tho story possesses all the elements of popular appeal; it has humour, it has pathos, it has stirring melodrama. It records a groat historical situation, and it deals with facts, terrible, tragic facts. . The audience were touched in theiir tenderest sympathies, thrilled in their deepest emotions. They laughed, they wept and they applauded. They might well have done so, for the production was most skilfully directed and most conscientiously and capably acted. Every member of the cast was excellent. The cast was an all star one, at least in this respect—that everyone played his or her part with all the ability and effectiveness that all the great stars in the moving picture world could have brought to the portrayal of these characters and these incidents. Even the younger members of the cast were unusually clever and capable. One has never seen a better comedienne on the screen than the little girl who played Topsy. I look to see her soon as a great popular favourite. AVith her : personality and her astonishing cleverness in comedy she should leap into : popular favour quickly. A matinee is to be held to-day at 3 o’clock. _ :