This Week’s Repertory Production

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 79, 4 April 1938, Page 3

This Week’s Repertory Production

“THE QUEEN’S HUSBAND” The title of Robert Sherwood’s- excellent comedy-drama, “The Queen’s Husband,” which is the Repertory Society’s choice for their first Opera House production, gives some indication of the whimsical turns of the story in a well-constructed play. The author has shown vivid character-drawing in the people who pass across the stage and to onsure this an ideal cast has been chosen as the public must agree when they witness the presentations on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights of this week. The entire action of tlic play is concentrated in the office of King Eric VIII on the second floor of the Palace, with the background a mythical and anonymous kingdom on an island in the North Sea. Here in the midst of intrigue completely overshadowed by his domineering Queen, is the amazing picture of the seemingly ineffectual little King playing draughts with his butler, while his Kingdom is literally falling about his ears. There is clever satire, swift action, with thrills a-plenty, and the love story of Princess Anne and Granton, the King’s secretary (progeny of a wholesale plumber) running like a silver thread through the play. There are situations such as might have been created by Bernard Shaw and a notable speech by the King to the Princess which concludes, “We’re hired entertainers arid so loDg as we amuse the public and don’t cost too much money, they command us to perform. When our antics begin to bore them they throw us out aud that is what is known as the Divine Right of Kings!” The auti-climax comes when the King in his own inimitable way outwits every’one and saves his country for Democracy.

Behind scenes there is the dynamic force of the producer, Mr. Fred Cousins, who typifies perpetual- motion, encouraging, inspiring, to mould the players to the author’s design—there is no let-up while the scene Is on. In a strong team there will be found in order of appearance, Alvin de Berry as Frederick Granton (King’s secretary), impressive in his first major production; Graham Driver, admirable as the lordly footman, Phipps; Jim Tasker, convincing as an ingratiating diplomat, the Marquis of Birten; Babette Rodgers, the likeable Princess Anne, excitable and woefully calm; Jim Birnie, a dignified footman; Kate Birnie, giving a remarkable portrayal in her first lead, as the overpowering “Queen- Martha,” together with Kitty O’Connor and Barbara Keeling, the ladies in waiting; Alan Coles, ideally cast as the swashbuckling General Nortlirup, leader of the aristocrats; Noel Rodgers, giving one of his best characterisations to date as King Eric VIII; Pat O’Shea, a newcomer effective as Major Blint; David Roche and Norman M. Nash in the picture as soldiers; Aubrey G. A. Baigent, forceful as Dr. Fellman, the intellectual leader of the Socialist Party; Graham Crossley as Laker, the anarchist leader; and finally Ken Struthers, making himself thoroughly disliked as ‘ ‘Prince William. ’ ’

The colourful dressing of the ladies, the picturesque uniforms of the men specially procured from Australia, staging and effects all combine to make splendid entertainment in the best Repertory tradition.