TWO BARRIE PLAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 14

TWO BARRIE PLAYS.

ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. REPETITION THIS EVENING. An ovening of Barrie plays gave much onjoyment to a large audience at the Town Hall concert chamber last evening. They were excellently presented by the St. Andrew's Society and tho repeat performance to be given this evening is fully justified. Tho play which excited tho most interest was undoubtedly "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals," which had previously received two performances in Auckland by tho Little Theatre Society, as well as being shown as a highly popular talking picture. It has the typical Barrie touch, all tho kindliness, tho humanity, the pathos and the gentle humour of the great Scottish dramatist. Tho present production is probably tho best that has been given, for tho cast, very largely tho original Little Theatre cast, has now reaped the practical benefit of many previous performances. The wonderful part of tho soldier returning home on leave to find an old lady has been proudly claiming him as her son is again taken by Mr. J. D. Swan, who brings to his work an authentic brogue and a brawness born of mingled wit and pathos. Miss Peggy Ilovcy again takes her old role of Mrs. Downey and a splendid part she makes of it. The othor wellremembered roles aro filled by Miss Maise Carte-Lloyd, Miss Constance Clarke. Miss Ethel Rao and Mr. Harold Savers, ft is no exaggeration to say that tho best amateur acting in Auckland is to bo seen in this performance. Tho other contribution to an altogether pleasing programme is the spirit play "A Well-Remembered Voice," which is now to Auckland audiences. It is a cun ningly simplo piece about a bereaved father who cannot persuade himself to believe in his wife's faith in the immortality of tho spirit. V r et his son's voice, cheerful and jolly, comes to him unmistakably out of tho void and converses with him, • unseen, in the mellow candlelight. The play is whimsically written and the theme delicately handled. It is acted with conviction by Mr. Gordon Sponce as the father, Miss Betty Budge as the wife, Miss Lilian Lugton as the boy's sweetheart and Mr. D. McCrono and Air. W. S. Lange as the two visitors. There is also the unearthly voice. It is excellently spoken by a well-known amateur actor who very wisely, for the sake ofsupernatural effect, remains anonymous.