ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17450, 21 April 1920, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS.

m' " PdsSGM PADDOCK." *" *• The Aasttaliaa Bctool ot dramar-a school j'Swhich is straggling against odds to obtain precognition—is very worthily represented in *SMisa Kate Howarde's comedy of the back Siblocka, " Possum Paddock," produced unS'der the direction of the authoress at His s*Majeat~'s Theatre last evening for the first Slime in Auckland. The piece is distinctly I clever in regard to the character drawing, : and the dialogue and its object—to create iamusement—is achieved m.the bands ox a company comprised of artists of just tne Tight type to tit into the atmosphere the action sets up. Constructively-it would be improved by judicious condensation, sucn as the blending of the second and third acta into one, and the shortening of some ot the scenes. That is a mere matter of adjustment, and does not alter the fact that - Miss Howards has evolved a work which '<call 3 for hearty commendation. She depiQts a number of- quaint and homely folks 1 whose prototypes exist in practically any bush district of the Commonwealth, With 'no small decree of skill she unveils their '"idiosyncrasies, their traits of character, and • their simple outlook on life. In the main 'she has depended for hex comedy effects ':■ upon the theme of courting, and her people "of the play go to it with a - will - : in their varied and often ,pntf' landishiy funny way. Tinged a little with the streak of melodrama that crosses the horison of nearly everyone in real life she has managed her situations and her lines with moderation, and often instead of platitudes has given her characters sound "horse sc-ase" to speak. On the whole, ;conßidering the- handicaps of an authoress .compelled to produce her own work, and .being thus deprived of the advantages which • Attach to plays staged by the long-estab-lished theatrical firms. Miss Howarde has done well. "Possum Paddock" is what it professes to be, an entertaining comedy, and is entitled to a continuation of the approval that was evinced for it by last night's audivenook Mr Fred MacOonald gives a very ■ sound character study as an old squatter, s -eldest son. Billy. He might have stepped' .out of the bush on to the stage of the theatre, so natural is he in his depiction of the simple, great-hearted, and withal loutish young man. His wooing of Mary Ellen is delightfully -droll, and the shading of the part is admir"■ably filled in. Mr. Jack Kirhy is convincing in the role of a neighbouring squatter, and conveys well the different phases of the character. He is especially good to tho comedy of bis lovemaking. Misa Cora .Warner gives a most excellent study of the . squatter's wife, bard on the surface, but a motherly soul none the less. As two awk- , TOird and yokelish gsris Misses Jessie Dale -and Alice Walton are decidedly funny. Mr. "Jack Souter, as Billy** younger brother. is also true to type and humorous. Mr. Leonard Buderick capably plays the ro|e &of the homfily old squatter, and Mr. Leslie ->Woods is quietly convincing as the villain Ttf the piece. Miss Leslie Adrieno is a fas- • cinatins ingenue, playing the role of the "squatter's daughter with its occasional emo■kjional phases distinctly well. Miss Howardo • i herself appeals as a widow who acts ay „**fairy godmother " to the squsttar'a family, and acquits herself well. The play will be ;; staged again nightly until further notice. OPEBA HOUSE. '. The current programme at the Opera House attracted another large audience last evening. " The College Widow," staged by the Harry Burgess Bevue Company, was i responsible for much merriment. £ OTHEB EHTEBTAINMENTS. * Bessie Barriscale is seen to advantage in ~** Josselyn's Wife," at the Lyric Theatre. *.„ " The Land We Live In." a scenic film, "is being shown at the Princess Theatre. ,*, "The Sneak," featuring Gladys Brockwell, is the chief attraction at the National '^Theatre.' jgi Billie Burke appears in "The Misleading .Widow," a charming comedy-drama, at the ■Tivoli Theatre. S " The Mtn Prom Kangaroo," an Australian drama, is being shown at the Grand "Theatre. —■ &. **. Human Desire," a stirring picture, . heads the programme at the Strand Theatre this week. \ f- "The Climbers," with Corinne Griffiths •in the leading sole, is being shows at "the Globe Theatre. ■2* " The. Dark Star." an intense drama, is --1&P principal attraction at Everybody's ...Theatre. « j; "A Man. of Honour." featuring Harold vLoekwood, is being screened at the Glebe - IsCBAImhSBi «tL"^L® a Brother's Place," featuring Bala