“THE FARMER’S WIFE”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12393, 12 March 1926, Page 9

“THE FARMER’S WIFE”

COMEDY SUCCE&'S FOR OPERA HOUSE. The next J. O. Williamson attraction is “The Farmer’s Wife,” a reigning London comedy success, by Eden Philpotts, which will be staged at the Grand Opera House for a short season of six nights only, commencing on Monday evening next. The play will introduce to theatregoers many new London artists, and bring back several who have appeared here before. Typically English in appearance is Doris Johnstone, who plays the devoted housekeeper of Applegarth Farm. Originally playing “flapper” roles with Seymour Hicks, she graduated to Shakespeare festivals at Stratford-on-Avon, and to leading roles in comedy and drama. One of tlie principals of Ethel Irving’s company which toured the Dominions some years ago was Townsend Whitling. He plays the farmer as well - as produces the comedy. His London experience includes comedy, drama, and musical comedy. Reoently he was appearing with Mrs Patrick Campbell. Violet Ley, who plays the fox-hunting widow—one of the many the farmer considers willing to marry him—also toured with Ethel Irving. An outstanding success of the present Australian tour is Susan Richmond’s sketch of ' Thirza Tapper, a spinster whose girlishness is persistent. The comedy also introduces a tangled skein of love interest among a quartet of younger pepple. One of the farmer’s daughters will be played by. Frances Cave. Edwin Brett, Douglas, Vigors, Graham Stuart, and Emmeline Orford are among the other English players in the company. A brilliant cast also includes Mills Engler, Yatty Landau, Reginald Newson, Arthur Greenaway, and Eardley Turner. “The Farmer’s Wife” is a play of quaint types and chnracterisatipn, and is described by a Sydney critic as “the biggest laugli for years,” The “Herald” (Auckland) says: “The first-night audience fairly' revelled in ,the delirious humour of the play, the rustic odour of the whitewashed kitchen, and the amazing love affairs of the village people.!’ The box plans for the season are at the Bristol.