“Life With Father” Has Enthusiastic Reception

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 2

“Life With Father” Has Enthusiastic Reception

“Life With Father,” the famous comedy which is the Little Theatre’s choice for their final Opera House production for the 1945 season, opened a three-night season last evening and was given a most enthusiastic reception by an excellent audience. This comedy, which is claimed to be a real family portrait, has enjoyed phenomenal suc-

cess overseas and has been running in America for the past six years. It is a very human little storj- about that curious and much maligned institution, the family, in this case the Day family, Father, Mother and four 11 carrottopped” sons, aud the way they live. Business and professional women to whom mending and marketing are only incidentals in the daily round must laugh at the flattering intensity with which the mother tackles her problems, and father gains all the male sympathy in his vocal efforts to keep command in the domestic situations arising. The play is by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Whether it is in the best taste is a debatable matter for the central theme concerns the mother’s efforts to have father baptised, but certainly the acting throughout is of a very high standard, which says much for the fine work of Mr. A. Kingston as producer and a capable team.

The heaviest demands are made on Father (Clarence Day) aud Mother (Vinnie Day) admirably portrayed by Mr. Joe Lorrigan and Mrs. Helen Mr. Lorrigan’s undoubted capabilities and wide experience enable him to register the whole scale of emotions, to present the character of a love-

able, yet violent and dogmatic person trying to pin down Vinnie’s butterfly mind to the realities. He makes a magnificent job of a very difficult part. Vinnie suits Mrs. Whitehead to perfection aud in this subtly drawn character she excells presenting tlfe fluttering wife who nevertheless knows how to get her own way and is not above resorting to good old-fashioned tears. These two players deserve the greatest credit for their portrayals and perfect team work. Mr. Derek Bennett as the adolescent, Clarence Jr., is most convincing and his scenes with Mary, the object of his calf-love, are among the most uproarious in the play. Miss Lorna Procter who is making her first appearance in a major production is a strong player and gives a most refreshing and convincing performance as Mary Skinner. Mrs. Mavis French as her friend Cora, is always vivacious in a delightful interpretation. The part of John, the second son, finds lan Stewart giving a very pleasing performance, in fact all the sons, Barry Powell as Whitney, and Colin Tucker as Harlan, do remarkably well. The well-meaning but rather tactless Rev. Dr. Lloyd, provides Mr. H. McKay with opportunity for good character work while Messrs J. Hunter and F. Aisher in the roles of Dr. Humphreys and Dr. Somers respectively, make brief but effective appearances. Miss Margafet O’Connor contributes, not a little to the humour in her excellent portrayal of the downright cook, Margaret, the only member of the household not afraid of “Father” and in the succession of new maids, inevitable in such a household, Mrs. Kay Nichols, Misses Win Cox, Joanne Var<joe aud Beth Jones, make the most of their opportunities. The dressing in the .1880 period is most attractive (as previously described in the “Times”) and the living room in which the action takes place very effective in tonings of green, cream and brown, featuring sliding doors opening to reveal a hall and staircase. Miss C. Ivneebone has been responsible for the furnishings and Mrs G. Lusk, the wardrobe. Providing delightful entr’acte music is the Little Theatre Salon Orchestra led by Mrs. C. Gair at the piano, their numbers including a Carnival Overture, selections from “Maid of the Mountains” aud 1 * Pagliacci. ’ ’

“Life With Father,” which will be presented tonight and tomorrow, is due for record success.