SUCCESSFUL PLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 11

SUCCESSFUL PLAY

« MILESTONES" STAGED EXCELLENT PRESENTATION A clever study of the periods from 1860 to 1912 is made by Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblock in their plav "Milestones," which was presented last evening in His Majesty s Theatre b> the Diocesan High School Old G ,r ' s m aid of the Maori Girls' School Scholarship Fund. It was an ambitious play for amateurs to attempt, but it was an attempt which was fully justified. The casting had been carefully done, with the result that each character was excellently portrayed. In addition, a careful' study had been made of the furniture, lighting and frocking of the three periods represented. The play is based on the progress ol shipping and of the uproar which ensues when John Rhead, a partner or the shipping firm of Sibley, Rhead and Sibley, declares that iron ships can be used." Treated as a crank, John Rhead finds his love affair is becoming affected through his determination to stick to his point in the face of heavy opposition from his partner, but he refuses to yield. ,«<•>> In the second act another genius appears in Arthur Preece, who invents a mild steel, which he proposes to use for the building of ships, ajid practically the same trouble, but in another era, ensues. It is a clever study of tho periods when an inventor, or anybody who suggested anything new, was looked upon not only as a crank and an upstart, but sometimes as a dangerous person. The note of modernism, which enters into the tjiird act, when the year 1912 is represented, is well sustained by the players,'and the casual and sometimes bad manners of the younger generation at that time have been faithfully and rather satirically displayed by the authors. The presentation of each scene was an outstanding feature of the play, some beautiful and authentic pieces of period furniture having been obtained for the occasion. The frocking was also very charming, while the passing of the three periods was indicated in the lighting, the stage in the first act being illuminated by candle-light, in the second by gas and in the third by electricity. Each player had a considerable role to portray, John Rhead, who appears as a young man full of determination and purpose, and who finishes as an old man celebrating his golden wedding, being one of the most important. This part was ably taken by Norton Hammond. Meg Russell made a rather pathetic spinster, who ages gradually and sadly; Ellen Lush was appealing as Mrs. Rhead; Peter Bathurst gave an excellent interpretation of the dignified and rather pompous partner in the shipbuilding firm; TJna Moore was very appealing as Rose Sibley, the fiancee whose love affair tottered on the brink of an abyss; and Ron Bowie provided a touch of humour as thd lovable fool, Ned Pym. Noni Wright was excellently cast in her role of Emily Rhead, and Edgar Middleton played the part of Arthur Preece, the young inventor of mild steel. The more modern roles in the final act are taken by Frank Walrond as Gerald (Lord Monkhurst), Babette Buddie as the Honourable Muriel Pym, Peter Bathurst as Richard Sibley, her fiance, Bessie MacCormick ns Thompson, the maid, and Hamish Henderson as the very human butler The play, which will be repeated this evening, was produced by Mr. Charles M. McCallum.