Kerikeri Players Stage Success

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1938, Page 7

Kerikeri Players Stage Success

On Wednesday night the Kerikeri Flayers again demonstrated their dramatic talent, when they produced before a crowded audience, a three-act comedy entitled "Polly With a Past." There were twelve players in the cast and the play was the most ambitious effort yet produced by the company.

Particularly impressive was Polly (Mrs Eric Jones), who maintained a high standard of acting throughout the three acts, taking the part of a minister’s daughter, posing as a

French girl. The part necessitated a good knowledge of French and, what was more difficult, speaking English with a natural French accent, which she carried off to perfection. This was Mrs Jones' first appearance in Kerikeri, and the players are exceedingly fortunate in securing her as one of their members. New Talent.

Other members of the cast wore: Mrs H. S. Benner, who was particularly good in the part of the hero's mother; Mrs M. N. Wallace, as a society mother; Miss M. Benner, as a society worker: Mr Malcolm Cooksey, a reformed drunkard, and Mr Laurie Kendall, as Commodore Barker. All these gave excellent portrayals of their respective characters.

Rex Van Zile. the hero (Mr Geoffrey Walker) was also very convincing as a wealthy, but shy young man in love with Myrtle (Miss Benner) and completely under the dominance of his mother. Miss Lorna Ritchie (the maid), showed much promise, although her part was a small one. Mr lan Miller, as Mr Van Zile, the hero’s uncle, proved that he can adapt himself to any part under short notice, and carry it off with exceptional skill. Captain Voelcker, who produced the play, is always a centre of attraction on the stage, and as the temperamental foreign musician; Petrowski added still further to his dramatic laurels. Unfortunately his part was all too brief. Farewell Appearance. Our old friends and humourists, Mr Edric Miller (as Harry Richardson) and Mr Eric Jones (Clay Collum). friends of the hero, who were misguidedly trying to help him with his love affairs (with the inevitable results, of such well meaning efforts), kept the audience continually amused. It is unfortunate that this will be the last appearance of Mr Miller with the players as he leaves for Wellington within a few days to take up a new position there. It is expected that the play will be produced in Kaikohe at a later date, and it can confidently bo recommended to all the theatre patrons.