"WITHOUT WITNESS"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22209, 9 September 1935, Page 12

"WITHOUT WITNESS"

FINE MYSTERY PLAY LITTLE THEATRE SOOIETY TRIUMPH OVER DIFFICULTIES The latest success achieved by the Auckland Little Theatre.Society is the production of the mystery play "Without Witness," which met with an excellent reception from a large audience in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday night. The play is the third that the society has produced this year, and another that lovers of the theatre should not fail to see. Written by Anthony Armstrong and Harold Simpson, "Without Witness" is a new play that recently enjoyed a long season in London. Saturday night's performance was the first occasion in which it has been played in New Zealand. With an intriguing story, in which the mystery element is cleverly developed, "Without Witness" is an exceedingly difficult play for amateurs to perform, demanding a high standard of acting and absolute verbal accuracy. Both are essential, one for the creation of atmosphere so necessary in plays of this type, and the other for the establishment of the alibi upon which the mystery element so largely depends. Difficulties Overcome The difficulties which naturally present themselves in the play should, therefore, be at once apparent, but there have been others, even greater, with which the society has had to contend. Within about n week 27 one-act plays in the British Drama League's festival, in addition to four full-length plays, will be performed in Auckland. As a result the producer of "Without . Witness," Mr. Frederic McCallum, has been unable to secure the services of a number of experienced players who usually perform in the society's productions, and contrary to his ordinary practice, has been compelled to take a part himself. Despite this, however, ho has triumphed over difficulties. It is a production upon which the producer and the cast are to be congratulated. The story of "Without Witness" concerns an unhappy second marriage and the events which follow the poisoning of the husband, an act of which his charming wife is suspected. The role of the wife is played by Mrs. Alan Donald, who, with the exception of a nonspeaking part as Queen Eleanor ill ".Robin Hood" last year, has never appeared on the stage before. As the wife of Maurice Treyford, a part taken by Mr. Eric Sadd, who appeared with success as a drunken, abusive, cruel husband, Mrs. Donald gave a delightful performance. Driven to despair, and with the shadow of Treyford's sudden death hanging over her, she returns to seek the advice of her first husband, whom she had deserted. In this and in her acting in the third act, when she endeavours to convince two alert police officers of her innocence, Mrs. Donald rose to heights not expected of one so new to the stage. Other Performances The part of Geoffrey Harting, Mrs. Treyford's first husband, whose selfsacrifice in her interests involves him in a number of difficult situations, is taken by Mr. McCallum, who, it is almost unnecessary to add, gave an extremely finished performance. Mr. Douglas Stark, as Inspector Mayhew, is another stage performer whose work is well known to the Auckland public and does not need further praise. A successful comedian, Mr. Stark was called upon to turn his ability to the interpretation of the part of a seriousminded police investigator. Ably supported by Mr. Hichard Sharp, his assistant, Mr. Stark still found ways to raise a laugh from the audience. A performer with experience on the English stage is Miss Phoebe Clarke. As a precise, matter-of-fact doctor attending Mrs. Treyford, she was excellent. To many her appearance was not long enough. Other players who assisted in the success of the performance were: Mr. Edward Newling, a faithful, rather talkative butler employed by Harting; Maxwell Wilkson, a friend of Treyford, who is drawn into, the police investigations; Mr. Geoffrey Colledge, a grumpy, impatient police surgeon; Mr. Harold Metcalf, an observant hall porter; Mr. Alan Leonard and Mr. George Spelvin, police constables. A season cf five nights will close on Thursday.