Attractive Variation in Costuming for "The Women”

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 11

Attractive Variation in Costuming for "The Women”

CAST IN AMERICAN PLAY A cast of 40 women in a play such as “The Womon,” which opened its Palmerston North season at the Opera House last evening, provides ample scope for the frockiug, which was exploited to the fullest. In the nine scenes there was a parade of the latest modes in frocks and accessories, with hats and negligees, of particular interest to the feminine patrons. On her first appearance Miss Irene Purcell, who played the part of Mary Haines, the wife whose domestic life was so nearly wrecked by the malicious gossip of her friends, wore a graceful slim-fitting negligee of almond green velvet, showing slight touches of gold at the neck and waistline. An attractive walking frock was of navy blue crepe worn with a petunia coloured hat and accessories, and she also wore a mustard wool suit ornamented with steel buttons.

In the last scene Miss Purcell wore a beautiful frock of grey crepe brocaded in silver and made with a square neckline, puff sleeves and skirt that flared from the knees down into soft, full folds.

The part of Sylvia, the acid-tonguel friend of Mary Haines, was played by Miss Marjorie Crossland. She wore first a reseda green crepe frock made with a sunray tucked bodice and accordeon pleated skirt. With it was a petunia coloured hat and accessories to match. A striking evening frock worn later in the play was of tangerine velvet with tangerine flowers on the corsage, and equally attractive was another of sapphire blue crepe cut low at the back, with cross-over straps, and worn for part oF fee time with a cherry coloured velvet coatee, embossed with gold thread and seed pearls. Miss Mary Dees, who played the part of Crystal, also wore some attractive frocks. A black velvet frock worn with a three-quarter length velvet coat and Cossack hat trimmed with two gold knobs made an effective contrast to her fairness.