FOR A GOOD CAUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11960, 15 October 1924, Page 8

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

“A CIGARETTE MAKER’S* ROMANCE.”

} The Victoria University College Social Service Club, which ia doing magnificent work over a wide field, to render assistance to those wbo are in poor and unfortunate circumstances, in conjunction with Mr A. Stanley "Warwick taged the second production of “A Cigarette Maker’s Romancer* last evening to a large audience. The play ia an exceptionally fine one, and the acting of the cast left nothing to be desired. The piece has for its central theme that or ai half-crazed nobleman who has been cheated out of his birthright, and who is further plotted against. Count Skariatine, eight years a cigarette maker, has periodic lapses, in which he thinks that his friends who are seeking him are on the point of succeeding in their searoh ; It is in the low factory of Christian and his wife Akulina that he labours, and he is led to discharge a debt to Akulina. This act seta the watch of the train of events that follow. Anton, his cousin, plains to get him out of the road, but hie failure is caused by the. devotion of Viera and the resource of Dumnoff, a fellow cigarette-maker. ■ But it is only after much sacrifice that the er.d is, reached, and Skariatine’s position is established. Mr Warwick played the part of the count, and made of it a fine piece of character work. The sensibility, the obsession and nervousness of the nobleman all were admirably suggested. Mr Barton Ginger took the role of Anton Skariatine, and underlined his villainy. Mr R.' J. Thomas, as Dumnoff, was most effective at his emotional moments, while Mr J. W. G. Davidson played Christian, the eccentric husband of the owner of the cigarette factory. The outstanding ladv of the piece was Miss Violet Mills.

It is the intention of the company to proceed to Masterton on Friday, where the play will be produced on behalf of the R.U.O. Social Service Club.