SUCCESSFUL PLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 12

SUCCESSFUL PLAY

" THE GREAT BROXOPP " LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES "The Great Broxopp," A. A. Milne's delightful tale of a man who made a fortune from "Beans for Babies," was pleasingly interpreted by (lie Auckland Little Theatre Society at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night. The quality of the performance, the society's 4<Jth in ten years of activity, was another tribute to the competent direction of Mr. Kenneth Brampton.

How Broxopp, starting in a Bloomsbury garret with only the assistance of a very loyal and laving wife, achieved undreamed-of wealth, lost it, and started .at tho bottom again, lias been told by Milne in one of his most entertaining plays. Sir Roger Tenterden, .penniless aristocrat of bluest county blood, simply could not entertain the thought of his daughter marrying young Jack Broxopp, who, as a baby, had borne witness to the merits of Broxopp's Beans on every hoarding in Britain. Jack and his fiancee, Iris, also found the name distasteful, and they managed to persuade tho great Broxopp to sell his business and adopt his wife's maiden name, Chillingham. Sir Boger also induced Broxopp to allow him to invest the proceeds. Broxopp, the artist and not the business man, .agreed, and Sir Roger did his worst, losing everything. The story gives promise of returning success at the close, however, when father and mother, son and daughter-in-law combine to broadcast the virtues of (Jhilliugham's "Cheese for Chickens." Although the majority of tho cast were young members of the society, the performance was most satisfactory. Dan Flood presented Broxopp as assuredly Milne meant him to bo portrayed. This whimsical old fellow, proud of his son, prouder of his wife, but entirely engrossed in his beans, was a lovable character, and Mr. Flood gave a first-class interpretation. Ethelwvn Geddes' Nancy Broxopp was another notable performance in the style the play demanded. Perhaps more feeling could have been instilled into an occasional passage. Sting seemed to be lacking when Brian Fisher Betts, as Jack Broxopp, was excited or angry, but generally he interpreted the young man about town on whom lile hangs easily with marked ability. Doreen Sharpc was extremely good as the modern, but by no means shallow, Iris Tenterden, and Robert Spragg gave to Sir Roger the conceit and confidence desirable. Another excellent player was James Lovatt, as Benham, the butler, while those in supporting roles, all of whom acted commendably. were Anne Lane, as Mary, Betty Carr Rollett, as Alice, Yvonne Lock, as Honoria Johns, Elizabeth Lerew, as Nora Field, and Ronald Bowie, as Ronald Dcnvent.

"The Great Broxopp" will bo repeated to-night, to-morrow night, and on Wednesday and Thursday nights.