Little Theatre Players Achieve Praiseworthy Success

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 142, 18 June 1936, Page 7

Little Theatre Players Achieve Praiseworthy Success

PRESENTATION OF PRIESTLEY’S “LABURNUM GROVE.’’ When the curtain goes up and reveals a chilly auditorium containing less than one hundred people, it is not the easiest thing to be at ease, and it requires consummate art to act well, even for professionals. So that it is greatly to the credit of the amateurs- I—some 1 —some of thorn novices—of the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society, that when faced with the inevitable meagre first night audience they gave a high-class performance. / The Little Theatro players brought before their public J. B. Priestley’s “Laburnum Grove,” which, without absurdity, may be called a comedy of thrills. Humour of tho first order, a tense story that it would be less than fair to divulge, and crisp patches of dialogue, are the ingredients of this clever play; aud ail these were fully exploited. The talent of the actors was undeniable and tho accomplished acumen of the producer wove ‘.‘Laburnum Grove” into a delightful aud effective stage sequence that held the audience at excitement pitch. Thcro can be no doubt that, allowing for the improvements always made upon the opening performance, the remainder oi the three-night season should be fully enjoyed aud the society will have every encouragement ,to make further stage excursions in the future. The outstanding performance was that of Mr J. P. McDavitt, whose characterisation of George Eadfern, the placid tenant of Laburnum Grove, whose sinister other life is the dramatic chord so finely played, was natural and forceful. He spoke, moved and gestured with a suave case that made his part' convincingly real. Mr Ronald Rees had an exaggerated pa-rt to play, as Bernard Blaxley, and comported himself with a persuasive confidence that added strength to the play. Mr Garth Brown acted his part ably, and as he gains greater confidence, he should be very entertaining as Harold Russ. Behind a ludicrous moustache, Mr Dudley Rabone acquitted himself admirably, and was intriguing to a nice degree. Mr lan Young is something of a discovery and his police inspector was a gorgeous creation. Mr S. T. Bristowe was a police sergeant in the best English tradition of clumsiness. There were three ladies in the cast, and all displayed talent capable of fine things. -Mrs G. C. Petersen gave the most sincere and likeable character of the whole play, with many genuine touches. Her entire lack of artificiality being most convincing and Miss Freda Whittaker used all the resource of her trained speaking voice as Mrs Lucy Blaxley, and achieved a splendid pose of hauteur, but au occasional slight infusion of humanity w r ould have made the part more believable. As Elsie Radfern, Miss Lorua King was natural and confident, and any lack of emotional depth will soon be overcome. A difficult part was portrayed with considerable understanding.

The settings and “props” were artistically conceived and lighting and i'rockiug had been attended to with much care, lending further to the pleasure of the performance. On the whole, “Laburnum Grove” was a great success, and reflects much credit ou tho producers, Airs Lorna Bristowe, whose skill and exactitude wero everywhere apparent. Excellent music is played by a full orchestra under the leadership of Aliss Dorothy Southey Baker. The play should have a successful run for the remainder of the season.