"THE BRONTES"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22481, 27 July 1936, Page 12

"THE BRONTES"

SUCCESSFUL PLAY CATHOLIC SOCIETY'S WORK There was unusual merit in the performance of "The Brontes" given by the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society iu the Town Hall concert chamber 011 Saturday night. In this, the society's opening production for the 1036 season, the players achieved remarkable success by the way they captured the atmosphere of Alfred Sangster's gloomy tale of the three famous sisters. Whoever would have light entertainment will not find it in "The Brontes." The dramatic intensity of the play becomes almost oppressive at times, and it would perhaps have been dangerous to liavo attempted its interpretation with a weaker cast. The Catholic Society, however, directed by Miss Ysolinde MoVeagh, gave an admirable rendering and did not permit the audience to withdraw its attention for an instant. How often did one feci disposed to strike the terrible patriarch of Haworth, the Rev. Patrick Bronte, in protest against his stupid pride and cruelty. How often did one wish to shake or admiro the temperamental Emily, to assist the striving, unhappy Charlotte, and to pity the weak, in effectual Anne. These feelings followed naturally from the fine acting; from the flawless display of Alan McSkimming. as the Rev. Bronte, and the properly restrained work of Gwen McNaughton. as Charlotte, Winifred Cooke, as Emily, and Cytliia Stone, as Anne. Zeal a Pcgler did well in the part of the strange* Miss Bronte, and JackParsons ably interpreted the wild, rebellious Branwell Bronte. Gilbert O'Sullivan, as the He v. Arthur Bell-Nicholls. was particularly successful in the final scene in a role that demanded patience and restraint. As the garrulous old servant Tabitha, Edith Rosser played cleverly. Relief from the intensity of the drama is provided bv an office scene worked into the middle of the play, and this gave lan Ainslev, Alan Beart, William Harris and Phil Hackett opportunity to introduce a little humour. Others gave capable assistance in minor parts were June McGinley, Kathleen Kennedy, Desmond Locke, Rusk Harris and Dave Reid. Incidental music was provided by an orchestra under Miss Nellie Ormond. The play will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night.