Women Through Three Generations on Stage

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 172, 24 July 1939, Page 8

Women Through Three Generations on Stage

REPERTORY SOCIETY PLAY “The Distaff Side,” a three-act play by John Van Druten opened a threenight season on Saturday evening at the Empire Hall under the auspices of tlie Manawatu Repertory Society. The cast was predominantly a female one and the story and action are essentially feminine in interest though not exclusively so. If criticism might be offered of the general impression left by the performance the opinion could be expressed that the society had been ambitious in its object and set itself a rather higher standard to which to attain than can generally be achieved by the amateur stage. The story and, incidentally, the stage, were dominated by the personality of the grandmother, Mrs. Venables, sole survivor of the oldest generation, portrayed by Mrs. M. Howlcv. The abrupt and forthright nature of the old woman who successfully continues to wield an authoritative influence over her married daughters, was convincingly interpreted and the contrast with the more placid Mrs. Millward uniformly preserved. Mrs. Dolby, who was seldom off the stage, acted the part of Mrs. Millward, the widowed mother of a boy and girl on the threshold of life. With her sisters, Mrs. Frobisher (Mrs. M. AshwelJ) and Mrs. Fletcher (Miss J. Wellwood) she represented the second generation. Mrs. Dolby’s role called for a deep understanding of the environment conceived by tho author, which she fulfilled in a competent manner. It was a role which lacked the adventure of Mrs. Frobisher but rose above the commonplace domestic atmosphere in which the third sister existed. Emotional restraint and her love for her children are her chief characteristics and as tho action progressed Mrs. Dolby’s effort may be classed as deserving of praise.

Mrs. Ashwell, as the sister whose love affairs have led her along an uneven path, had a part that enabled her to win recognition. Sho had tho advantage that the opening lines created interest in her arrival and throughout she was never neglectful of her mission. Her scene with “Gillie” was well done.

Miss Wellwood did not have a great deal to do as Mrs. Fletcher but that did not detract from her performance which was well sustained and carried through in a thoughtful manner. Alex, Mrs. Millward’s modern daughter, was entrusted to Miss M, Waldegrave, who made her first appearance in a juvenile lead. She ably preserved an atmosphere of mystery as to her plans, which is one of the central features of the presentation and with her brother, formed the third generation in the fam!y picture. The remaining feminine characters were allotted to Miss N. Woodhouso (Miss Spicer), Mrs. Small (Theresa Venables) and Miss M. Reid (Rose, tho maid). They were small parts but sin■crely conceived. At tho head of the male division of .lie cast was Norman M. Nash, who accomplished some very good work as Tobby Chegwidden, one of Alex’s suitors. A wider range of interpretation was required from this character possibly than any of tho others. Ho created a favourable impression in tho scene where, delirious as a result of influenza, he enters the room occupied by mother and daughter. There, as elsewhere, he brought an enthusiasm to his task that was most acceptable. Not a great deal is seen of the remainder of the men, Ken Struthers Gilbert Baize), Roland Allison (Charles Hubbard) and Frank Bendall (Christopher Venables). Of these Struthers was the most finished.

Miss Mavis Mortland, as producer, had evidently worked with zeal to ensure that members of the cast would create an atmosphere of family life but it was noted that, although the play was described as “a comedy of women,” the sense of comedy was not as accentuated as might have been expected. The play, which will be presented again to-night and to-morrow night, should enjoy an excellent season.