Carruth House Boys In Riot Of Fun

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 3

Carruth House Boys In Riot Of Fun

As a title for a play “Blue Ration Books” does not tell much of a story, but the play, when seen as performed by a group of boys from Carruth House, of the Whangarei High School, is a riot of wit and humour. This play is something different, a complete change from the usual run of theatre entertainment. First produced in Paris in 1943, ii was written by M. Roger Ferdinand, and deals mainly with a form of high school boys at a school in Normandy. Being written by a Frenchman and intendad for a French audience it has more real life interest than most English plays. It has los nothing in translation—in fact, it may have gained something. This task was performed by Mr E. Blow—a master of the house —who was also in charge of the production. The story of how these teen-age boys have become unmanageable ai school and at home is extremely well put together. Their activities in large-scale blackmarketing deals, their one-for-all-ali for-one honour code and their knowledge of the world with all its seamy atmosphere, are all brought out to the full. MASTERED HIS CHARACTER As Gabriel Lamy. one of the boys. Graham Nathan is excellent. Most of the action centres around him. He speaks his lines very well indeed, he has a good stage presence and he can act. From his first entry it was evident that he had mastered the character he was to portray. The headmaster of the school was plaved by Allan Dickie. His was a difficult part to play and. while at times he was not sufficient of the headmaster, he did carry off the role successfully. Mr Lamy —the father of Gabriel - was acted by Neale Doull. He also had to portray age and experience. and was not always convincing. But still, having such a son as he had, perhaps any father would feel at sea, and uneasy. Four other members of the form were played by Bruce Christianson Fort Zohrab. James Doull and Lloyd Russell. These four, with young Lamy. were the gang that nearly drove the headmaster off his head, and parents to the asylum. Each of these players had a slightly different line of attack and each carried off his part like a trouper. There is a young lady teacher in the play—Miss Bravard. In this part. Brian Dyer was charming, chic, and a brunette of the best French vintage. His whole attitude while on the stage was fully in keeping with the impersonation, and even his voice did not give him away. SATIRE AND PHILOSOPHY While only in minor roles as Ledem. the school clerk, and Mr Chaminet a science master, Alan Bell and Brian Lambert added to the fun and to the continuity of the play. Each of their entries brought much laughter from the audience. This play is not only comedy. Even among its satire and broad humour there i.s some philosophy that is worth hearing. There is also an oral examination couducted by Miss Bravard, in which young Larpy speaks on the theory of emotion, ahd which ends in a most decisive embrace. The staging is good and the boys of the house are deserving of praise for the work they put in the settings. This is entertainment that can strongly be recommended to anyone with a sense of humour.—H.F.G.