“YOUNG WOODLEY”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6942, 22 June 1929, Page 10

“YOUNG WOODLEY”

On Monday evening, for one night only, at the Opera House, J. O. Williamson present to theatregoers their latest attraction, John Van Drutcn’s remarkable story of English collcgo life, “Young Woodley.’’ The censor first banned the play in England, but after seeing a special performance, lifted the embargo, and “Young Woodley” is still (after twelve months) going strong in London. It is a play that has caused endless discussion among the critics of the world's leading papers. If is a play that can be looked at from different angles. “The Herald” Melbourne, says, “Young Woodley” is a good play. It is a good play because it handies a piece of life in a real way, because the actors can both act and speak well, and because the essential drama of it rs achieved in a brilliant way. It is not a sex play although it deals with the maze of sex as it strikes the searching mind of a youth at school, but it is all handled so well and so earnestly that it .appeals to the neavt and the ra:nd, to the sympathy and the understanding. Lewis Shaw as Young Woodley is an amazingly good actor for a lad of IS, and has more quiet, force and natural theatre sense than scores of men senior to him in years and stage experience. Michael Maenwan as Aingcr, the prefect, is no less earnest, no less sincere, and has real ability. Frank Eoyde as the housemaster is both a very good actor and a producer. The jammy-faced fag •Trevor Brogan) was real enough to be kicked as ho often was. Natalie Moya’s job as the wife who married a bundle of prejudices instead of a man, who meekly allowed her husband’s pupil to make love to her, was finely done from beginning to end. George Preston, Guy Hastings, Clara Jenkins and Edward Ashley aro all splendidly cast. The firm earns the thank:-: of intelligent pcoplo for showing such good taste in selecting this play and for getting together one of the most finely balanced casts that Melbourne has seen.

The box plans are. now open at the Central Booking office.