“The Distaff Side” Has Gratifying Success

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 173, 25 July 1939, Page 8

“The Distaff Side” Has Gratifying Success

LARGE AUDIENCE ENJOYED A GOOD PROGRAMME

Focussing the action of “Tho Distaff Side” on the biithday celebrations of the autocratic Mrs. Venables, which brings together three generations of the family, John van Druteu provided himself with admirable material to present the contrasting characters and clashing of wills that would be inevitable. And m this regard the Manawatu Repertory Society has chosen a well-balanced team to put this “comedy of women over,” as was demonstrated last evening, which marked the second performance of a three-night season. The players had settled down to their tasks in real earnest and gave a sparkling performance, interest being well sustained throughout the three acts. The play has all sorts of unexpected twists and turns with passages of hilarious dialogue and very human and poignant situations which were ably handled.

Despite the dominance of the old grandmother, Mrs. Venables, most convincingly presented by Mrs. Mabel Howley, the character of the sweet, unselfish daughter Evie shines through the whole action of the play like a silver thread and in this exacting rolo Mrs. Leslie Dolby last evening achieved a triumph in her understanding of the part. Sharing the honours was Norman Nash as Toby Chegwidden, who has to battle to win the girl of his choice while wrestling with a severe attack of influenza, to say nothing of delirium—so realistically presented as to win the concern of the audience. A very natural characterisation of the part of Alix, the girl in the case, aspiring to stage honours, was that of Miss I’eggy Waldegrave, who makes good use of her opportunity in a first junior lead. Mrs. Ashwell is well cast as the dashing sister Liz, both in stage presence and manner of speaking, and another sincere contribution is made by Miss Joyce Wellwood as the somewhat dowdy sister Nellie. Always in the character as the well-meaning niece Theresa was Mrs. Ivy Small, and as the cheerful attendant on the old lady, Miss Ngita Woodhouse was priceless. Miss Maynie Reid as the capable maid completed the feminine cast. The male members are more talked about than to, so that their appearances are more or less brief, but as good repertory players Frank Bendall (Christopher Venables), Ken Struthers (Gilbert Baize), Roland Allison (Charles Hubbard) and Brian Waldegrave (Roland) all make their contribution to delightful entertainment. The settings throughout of Mrs. Millward’s sitting room at various hours of the day and night and finally her bedroom, were charming and the dressing in its many changes most attractive, all enhanced by the effective lighting used. Much credit is duo to Miss Mavis Mortland as producer for the success achieved in a most ambitious play and for the manner of presentation. The season closes to-night, when the bookings indicate a capacity house.