"POSSUM PADDOCK."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 7

"POSSUM PADDOCK."

TO-NIGHT. To-night, at His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin theatregoers will havo on opportunity of witnessing the first production of the wonderfully successful Australian backblocks comedy-drama, " Possum Paddock." This unique laugh tor-male er has so far enjoyed a most phenomenal success on all sides. Sydney, where the play was first staged, started tho " Paddock'' boom, and later on Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbrno reiterated the initial success. Tho Sydney Morning Herald, in describing the procedure of the stage events, said: Tho vast audience which thronged the Theatre Royal on Saturday night simply rioted in uproarious laughter, tho crowd ever and anon rocking to and fro like sheaves of corn in a summer breeze. ' Possum Paddock,' it is safe to say, is in for a long season of undoubted success." This remarkable criticism was corroborated in the other cities of the commonwealth, and, at a later date, Wellington (where tho comedy ran for 13 successive nights) and Auckland respectively echoed tho Australian approval. This, combined with the fact that the world wants to laugh, and laugh again, augurs -well for the success of the season, which opens to-night. Miss Kate Howarde, who wrote, produced, and presented the comedy, plays an important role in tho production, and she has tho able assistance of Mr Fred. Macdonald, Mr Jack Kirby (the clever young Dunedin actor, lately returned from the front), Messrs Len Buderiok (Dad), Lesley Wood? (Stock Inspector), Albert Harrison (Rouseabout), Claro M'Grath (English Johnnie), John Soufcer (Bob M'Quado), Alio. M'Donald (an Old Selector), Misses Cora Warner (Mum), Vivian Langley (Old Maid Martin), Jcasio Dale and Alice Walton ,Mary Ellen and Anastaoia), Lesley Adrien (Nancy M'Quade), and others. The production og " Possum Paddock" to-night should ensure the same splendid success it has liitherto so universally obtained. Patrons please note box plan is, as usual, at the Bristol.