“THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 8

“THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.”

ENJOYABLE AMATEUR PRESENTATION.

Since '..there • appears to be a Very real ■possibility:,-:'that for some;.considerable time at, leasiAlocal theatre-goers will have to depend; almost entirely upon, anfateur talent, for T futrire entertainment, such efforts as that made by the troupe of enthusiasts known as the Du.nodin S troll ing Players in the concert chamber of the Town Hall last evening are worthy of every encouragement, ■ln selecting Sir Charles Hawtrey's inimitable farce “ The Private Secretary ” as their vehicle, this little company addressed, themselves to a task by no means easy; but any shortcomings they mav have exhibited were completely overlooked by an audience which thoroughly enjoyed itself, and which was composed very largely of the older generation of playgoers, many of whom were doubtless privileged to sqe Frank Thornton play the part of the Rev. Robert Spalding in Dunedin nearly a .score of years ago. during a season which appears to have been the last occasion on which this diverting comedy was locally. The play itself comprises three acts of genuine and irresistible farce, which sparkles with keen wit and an exceedingly happy fancy,- and although a few of the jibes and thrusts which could hold significance only for the theatre of ~ a quarter of a century ago were deleted and replaced by topical allusions, the Strolling Players are to be commended upon the fidelity with which they adhered to the author’s characters.. “The Private Secretary” is likely to attract very favourable attention for the next two nights, and should not be missed ■ by. anyone interested in the comedy of the age before ours. The cause for which the company is working, the Y.M.C.A., should also prove a draw. The role of parson, the Rev. Robert Spalding, in which Thornton made hisname, stands out as one'of the best performances of the evening, and Mr George Salmond is to be congratulated upon an exceedingly humorous and finished characterisation. He handled the manifold difficulties which such- a farcical role presents with admirable restraint, at the same time giving to the impersonation a reality and attractiveness of which no professional player need ■ be unduly ashamed. He bad a strenuous time, and all three acts was constantly before the footlights, the butt of everyone’s' jokes and the subject of a good deal of manhandling. His orapge ” and “ bath,bun”kept the audience in the best of humours and; his grotesque make-up,, to say nothing of the excellent use-he made of an extremely facile face, and ludicrously plastic limbs, helped to- make a very favourable impression. Mr ; Angus Gorrie did a good evening’s work in the-part ofDouglas Cattermole, the impeftunious and rather fast nephew with exceedingly importunate creditors, but his very attractive speaking voice could not. be heard very well in the dress circle. Mr Henry Roberts has a style that never fails to please, and finds many opportunities in "The Private Secretary." Miss Anita Winkel would never have been recognised by her closest friends in the absurd old maid costumes behind which she concealed herself if it had not been for the purity of her diction and the characteristic grip she had on her part. Her Miss Ashford, eccentric and- spiritualism mad, was 'a clever piece of acting. Miss Tul Northey, found great favour with her audience, arid played the girlish role of daughter of the manor very prettily, being accompanied in most of her appearances by Miss Isobel M'Gregor, whose duty it was to present her companion. ■ Mr Douglas Skene gave a vigorous impersonation of the fox-hunt-ing squire with a past that he would, like to forget, and Mr Douglas , Dali’s Uncle Cattermore was suitably boisterous and bullying. . Mr GeoVge Coley, acquitted himself in a part that did not: demand a great deal of him, and Miss Elsie M'Pcak filled I the tble. of voluble, and fussy landlady. very well indeed! The play was produced under the direction of Mr S. Lawson, who was assisted! by Mr Thomas Wynne, who proved himself a very competent stage director. Very enjoyable music was provided during the acts by Miss J. it. Nimmo’s orchestra. “ The Private Secretary ” will be presented again this evening and also tomorrow evening.