“JOURNEY’S END” OUTSTANDING

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 159, 8 July 1938, Page 6

“JOURNEY’S END” OUTSTANDING

War Drama Finely Portrayed TRIUMPH FOR AMATEURS Journey's End''* is a triumph. That was the feeling with which last night’s audience left the Palmerston North Opera House after the initial performance by a clever team of Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society players. The patrons had expected something unusual, bat somehow they were hardly prepared for the wonderfully convincing picture that was presented of the havoc, devastation and strain that twisted the civilised world sideways for four tragic years. The story of Britain’s strength had been told in three hours of gripping drama. Recaptured after a space of ID years, that atmosphere of war was strangely realistic, over-riding almost the strong dialogue which carried the action along in a style that was unusually robust. The great attention that had been paid to detail was everywhere in evidence, from the dress of the players to the stage setting and the effects, which merit a lengthy de•criptiou, revealing the master hand of the producer, Mr. Fred. Cousins. The story is simple enough. Fresh from an English school, young Lientenant Kaleigh (Mr. E. Davidson) goes out to the mud and chaos of France imbued with enthusiasm to take his place in the conflict and follow in the footsteps of his hero, Denis Stanhope, now a captain in charge of a company. He is thrilled to And that he is to serve in the same unit as Captain Stanhope (Mr. K. fltruthers). He tells all this to the second-in-command, Lieutenant Osborne (Mr. M. 1L Oram), whom he in the dug-out when he joins. Osborne warns Raleigh that Stanhope will be different, but the cap;*iin is obsessed with the notion that young Raleigh will write home and tell the truth. The atmosphere of tension thus j produced remains throughout the play. The Cast. Leading a powerful cast, Mr. K Struthers discharged with unquestioned ability the role of the youthful captain who had chosen the alternative of whisky to going sick. His decision was finely put in one revealing scene with Osborne. Considerable sustained effort i was called for and a lot depended on ! his interpretation. ILe succeeded in | full, preserving always a fine percep- j tion of the character he portrayed. j The focal point of the story was the j impetuous eagerness of Lieutenant j Raleigh, anu Mr. E. Davidson reacted j to the demands made upon him in most j praiseworthy manner. The change from ! the school lad to the officer who returned from a raid to leave his companion dead behind him was moving in the extreme. As the climax approached he rose to the occasion with commendable ability. Upon the shoulders of Mr. M. H. Oram as Lieutenant Osborne fell an onerous task which he carried out lightly but with satisfying efficiency. Physically adapted, as were all members of the company, Mr. Oram was always conscious of his part and acted the soldier-schoolmaster with fine understanding. As Lieutenant Trotter, a promoted , ranker, who ‘‘was always the same,”; Mr. A. Coles was obviously thoroughly ! at home as the boisterous funster in a nerve-strained circle. Just as his character was never perturbed, so Mr. Coles retained an excellent grip of the changing atmosphere, revealing a diligent study of the author’s conception of the personality he was portraying. A finely executed and sympathetic presentation of the officer whose nerves had broken was given by Mr. G. Driver, who was required to delineate a rather difficult part. The effect his entrances produced was marked with a real touch of artistry.

Completing a really first-class east were Messrs. A. Holmes (the colonel), J. Renwick (sergeant-major), L. Searle (Mason), H. Palmer (Captain Hardy) and G. Oates (a Gorman soldier). Crowning a succession of uniformly excellent production.-, Air. Fred. Cousins, as producer, was responsible for work that was outstanding, meriting the highest commendation. Every aspect of * ‘ Journey ’a End” revealed that great care, zeal and unflagging enthusiasm that he had devoted to the aim of bringing lhe play forward in the best possible manner. The appreciation of t-he sudience must have been extremely gratifying to him after all he had done. Because the whole of tho action is confined to a dug-out on the western front the changes as the play progresses were largely dependent upon the production of an authentic atmosphere. This was most capably carried out by Mr. P. Chase, to whom special praise is due. Even the audience could not suppress the choking feeling brought on by the powder-laden air. 1 'Journey's End’* was a success in every way to packed houses are certain for tho remaining presentations to-night and to-morrow.