“IF WINTER COMES.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 2

“IF WINTER COMES.”

A PLAY WITH A WONDERFUL -'vogue.' • The dramatic version of A. S. J! v HutchiiisouT famous novel “If Winter Conics’’ is to have its premiere at His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday evening, November 13, end will be presented for three nights only. In view of the widely read book, a deal more than ordinary interest is being shown in the production of the play. The adaptation is the work of Basil MacDonald Hastings, in collaboration with Mr Hutchinson. ’I he pla-y lias had a wonderful vogue in England, whore it is still running, and it has proved an outstanding success more recently in Sydney and Melbourne. For the New Zealand production, the directors of the J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) have engaged a number of well known English artists, including Garry Marsh, who was leading juvenile in London for sonic years with Cyril Maude and Sir John Martin Harvey. Mr Marsh will be seen as Mark Sabre. Miss Isobel Wilford will be seen as Effie. Also prominently cast are Misses Ailsa Graham (Lady Nona Tybar) and Jane Savillo (Mabel Sabre). Other notable artists appearing are Messrs Sidney Stirling, George Blunt. Leslie Victor, J. B. Atholwood. Arthur Cornell, Robert Geddes, Reginald Wykeham, and 11. )I. Wallace, and Misses Georgia Harvey. Lorna Helms, and Lilyan Nightingale. The stage management is in the hands of Mr H. C. Nightingale. The Herald, Auckland, speaking of the opening performance in that city, says: “It is a play of passionate sincerity, which holds the audience in its grip from the rise to the fall of the curtain. The sen sational coroner’s scene and the many other intensely interesting dramatic situations, go splendidly described bv A. S. M. Hutchinson in his famous novel, give the artists unusual opportunities- for. the display of their histrionic powers, and that they, thoroughly realised the author’s intentions they manifested last evening by their representations of the characters so well known to the many thousands who enjoyed the book. The great enthusiasm displayed by last night’s audience at the fenpination of each act and at the final fall of the curtain was a great tribute to both the piny and the company, which was acclaimed the best J. C. Williamson organisation which has appeared here for years.’’ The box plans open on Friday next at the Bristol for the only three presentations of this wonderful play in Dunedin.