“HAPPY-GO-LUCKY O’FLYNN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21361, 15 June 1931, Page 5

“HAPPY-GO-LUCKY O’FLYNN”

BRIGHT IRISH COMEDY' There is a quality about the humour of the Irish race which never loses its piquancy, and one of the best vehicles of that class of humour which has been presented before a Dunedin audience in recent times is undoubtedly Barry Connors’s light-hearted comedy, “ Happy-Go-Lucky O’Flynn,” which was played before a fairly largo audience in His Majesty’s Theatre T on Saturday evening by the Ronald Riley Company. Based on the theme of what constitutes true happiness, the story of the play embodies a health of excellent comedy leavened with a vein of true Irish sentimentality, from which any trace of mawkishness is refreshingly absent, and with this material at their disposal the members of the company cooperated to present one of the most delightful comedies seen in Dunedin for some time. Although at first the members of the cast appeared to he feeling their way cautiously through the earlier scenes of the production, they rapidly gained confidence and thereafter were responsible for a performance which was remarkable for its spontaneity and high spiritedness. The delightful “ blarney ” of the Irishman to whom flattery / is second nature was given excellent expression by Ronald Riley, in the character of Larry O’Flynn, the care-free young man whose unfailing good humour and light-hearted banter gain him many friends but few of the goods of this world. As the principal'male figure in the play Mr Riley was responsible for an excel lently sustained characterisation in which comedy predominated, yet there was never at any time a suggestion of forcing to make a point, or of his performance verging on the boisterous. He exhibited a keen sense of comedy values, his lightness of touch and appreciation of the finer points of emphasis constituting one of the features of the play. Miss Doreen Scott, who filled the role of Rosie Doyle, is possessed of a charming stage personality, which is characterised by poise and grace. Her performance as the girl who has to decide whether happiness lies in her marriage to a wealthy young man whom she is not certain she loves, or in her choosing the happy-go-lucky O’Flynn, with whom she is certain she could, be happy, but whose fortune is principally his charm of manner, was an accomplished and charming piece of acting which was noteworthy for its admirable restraint and true feminine appeal. Joseph Lanphier early showed himself to be a veteran of the stage whose presence enriched the cast beyond measure. His comedy role of Daniel Doyle, the delightfully irascible father of Rosie, was one of the most humorous features of the play. Every movement, every word and gesture bespoke the actor of long experience and perfect confidence, and every opportunity for enhancing the humour of the spoken lines themselves by means of facial expression or vocal intonation was grasped and made much of by Mr Lanphier, with the result that the audience found itself awaiting with pleasurable anticipation his successive appearances before the footlights. Miss Marie D’Alton, as Mrs Katie Doyle, gave Mr Lanphier admirable support in the scenes in which they were associated as the elderly couple who apparently could not be happy unless they were indulging in mutual recrimination. Miss D’Alton was also particularly effective in her more subdued work, investing her role with a gracious charm which was most appealing.' Bernar Beeby, in the part of Charley Daly, the rich and successful young business man whose idea is that happiness can be bought, infused into his performance just the right amount of self-complacency and slight arrogance, and in this respect was an admirable foil for Ronald Riley. Mr Beeby’s conception of the requirements of his part was excellent, and at no time did he fall into the trap of permitting himself to indulge in an over-emphasis of the several slightly melodramatic situations in which lie figured largely. J. Vincent White was most convincing in the role of Myles O’Flynn, Larry’s uncle, who first of all disinherits his nephew when the lattep marries' Rosie, and then threatens to put him in gaol when he discovers that his nephew ’'s household bills are being forwarded to him. He maintains the role of the hard-hearted uncle with excellent effect until the final scene, when a reconciliation is effected. Miss Miriam Osbourne provided a most amusing characterisation of the part

of Mrs Lily Parker, a species of female bird of ill omen, whose delight it is to indulge in lugubrious prophecies and warnings, whilst Stanley Brogden acquitted himself well in the minor part of Micky M'Ginty. The story of the play, in brief, deals with the dilemma of Rosie Doyle, whose baud is being sought by two young men, Larry O’Flynn and Charley Daly, the former a light-hearted ne’er-do-well and the latter a prosperous and'slightly dogmatic young business man. She decides to accept the one who proposes first, and it falls to Charley’s lot to be the first man. A few weeks after the engagement Rosie discovers that Charley’s attentions havA assumed a different character, for now, instead of attempting to please her, he subjects her to nothing but criticism. Larry attempts to see Rosie before he leaves the town, but Charley forbids her to speak to her old siiitor, whereupon Rosie’s rebellion takes concrete form. In a delightfully humorous scene Larry meets Charley in Rosie s home and loudly congratulates himself on his escape from Rosie’s attentions, thereby sowing the seed, of doubt in Charley’s heart. Almost , immediately afterwards there is a scene between Charley and Rosie, the outcome of which being that Rosie returns her engagement ring, and Charley departs, thanking his lucky stars for his fortunate escape; He returns a few minutes Jater to find Rosie in Larry’s arms, and the real significance of the latter’s remarks suddenly breaks upon him. The third act of the play concerns the trials of the young Larry O’Flynns, whose situation appears to be rather desperate despite the cheery protestations of Larry that all will be well; but in the end there is a complete reversal of the position, and a satisfactory conclusion is reached. During the intervals between the apts Miss Zara Stagpoolc, who is possessed of an excellent soprano voice, was heard in several old favourites, including “Danny Boy” and “The Last Rose of Summer,” all of which gained the high favour of the audience. “ Happy-Go-Lncky O’Flynn” will be presented each night this week until Friday, when the company will present “ Charley’s Aunt.