“HAY FEVER”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 4 December 1940, Page 9

“HAY FEVER”

REPERTORY CLUB’S PRODUCTION BRIGHT LIGHT COMEDY A SUCCESSFUL PRESENTATION i ( A light comedy which depends on at- ] mosphere rather than plot for its effect, I Noel Coward's “Hay Fever” kept a fair ' house thoroughly amused at the < Theatre Royal last night. It was the i first performance of this play by the 1 Nelson Repertory Club, and was pro-Ic duced by Mrs W. Moynihan. i The caprices of an eccentric Bohem- I ian theatrical family named Bliss form < the substance of the play, and against I this background are the reactions of ,' four visitors invited to the house for j: the week-end. The very way in which « they are invited by each without the i knowledge, and much to the disgust of, ! the other members of the family, is an j indication of the way things are con- j ducted, or rather left to happen, in the 1 1 Bliss household. The author’s satire on a so-called artistic family, which does not even take itself seriously, contains many delightful touches and hilarious scenes. The behaviour of some of the guests, who are for a while fooled by the melodramatics. only throws the tomfoolery into clearer relief. A good impression of the unusual (to say the least) behaviour of the Blisses is given in the first scene, when the children tell their mother, with refreshing candour, what they think of her continual attempts to dramatise every situation. The acting at acting of Judith Bliss, retired actress, was done with vivacity by Mrs A. Le G. Campbell without being unrestrained and making a burlesque of it. She gave a strong lead in a difficult part, sweeping through her theatrical moods and being nonchalant in her few spells of being natural. She was cleverly obvious in her artificiality. The madcap atmosphere of the home is well played up to by the children, Simon (Mr Maitland Gard’ner) and Corel (Miss Joyce Baxter). Sorel’s attempts at being normal and orthodox are derided by her artist brother Simon who refuses? to be polite to people he does not like. Miss Baxter was bright and convincing in the role of Sorel. and Mr Gard’ner made a good Bohemian and seemed at ease in the part. David Bliss, the funny little man in plus fours who was the fourth member of the household, was the father of the two irresponsible youngsters, and the author of romantic books. To Mr W. Simm went the responsibility for playing the part. In his canary pull-over he was certainly the eccentric author, and he capably helped in creating an impression of a surprising family. Judith’s guest, the athletic young Sandy Tyrell (Mr Randall Forsyth), is the type of young man who falls heavactresses, even if they are married, and have grown-up children. Mr Forsyth's characterisation was natural, and he was amusingly like a fish out of water in the Bliss home. As a middle-aged diplomat invited by Sorel. Richard Greatham (Mr W. McKechnie) maintained his dignity in a realistic manner, and was the essence of suave politeness. Simon’s guest. Myra Arundel (Mrs A. S. G. Adam) played with confidence the role of a worldly-wise woman, and her denunciation of the Bliss family and their affected poses was sparkling. The part of ingenious Jackie Cory ton*, invited by David Bliss (he wanted to study the type) was acted by Miss Charmian ! Lucas who portrayed the candour of the | unsophisticated in rather bewildering i situations. Though not a large part, j Clara, Judith’s former dresser, was ef- ; fectively represented by Mrs E. R. i Neale. The success achieved by several young members must have been gratifying to the society. Assisting in the effectiveness of the play are the excellently painted scenery (the hall of the Blisses’ home), and the pretty frocks, especially in the evening scenes. It is a bright show, with plenty of amusing lines and sparkling scenes, qnd will be repeated to-night. All the proceeds are for patriotic funds.