“THREE WISE FOOLS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21981, 16 June 1933, Page 11

“THREE WISE FOOLS”

ATTRACTIVE AMATEUR PRODUCTION

DUNE LIN STROLLING PLAYERS’ SUCCESS.

The enviable reputation of singular competence in all that they attempt which has been gained by the Dunedin Strolling Players during the comparatively short period of their existence was fully exemplified last evening, when these performers presented the amusing and attractive (play, “Three Wise Fools,” from the pen of Austin Strong, before a fairly large audience in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. The production, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to, the Y.M.C.A. funds, embodies many appealing features, principal among which are the splendidly-balanced performances of the various principals, and the several evidences of efficient stagecraft on the part of those responsible for the producing of the play as well as of those actually seen ami heard on the platform. The play itself has most of the ingredients for satisfying entertainment, including a romance,. a mystery, and a series of interesting situations, in which the performers seize every opportunity presented for vigorous and convincing interpretations. “Three Wise Fools” is a particularly attractive production, and the success of its short season of three nights seems assured. The prominent characters are “ The Three Wise Fools,” a trio of elderlybachelors who have been inseparable since the date many years before when they were, severally and collectively, refused by a girl with whom they were all madly in love. From that time they eschewed the world of women and settled dojvn to well-ordered and uneventful lives of single ■ blessedness until a series of completely unexpected events threw their bachelor establishment, as well aa their clockwork routine, into the wildest confusion, and, incidentally, saved them from spending the remainder of their lives in their well-worn grooves. The part of Theodore Findlay, the irascible old banker, whose life appears to be divided between his business and a series of violent quarrels with his nephew, is capably handled by Mr Russell Napier, who is sufficiently explosive at the right moments and draws this interesting character with considerably fidelity. Even when he becomes softened by an unusual influence which is brought to bear upon his life, he still retains a certain amount of his case-hardened egotism, evidence of which are continuallyappearing, and it is only when the denouement is reached that he comes to a full realisation of the error of his ways. Dr Richard Gaunt, the* second of the celibate trio, is a whimsical and philosophic character, gifted with a kindly tolerance for th® ways of the world, and he, alone, of all the three, sees just how far they have become the victims of habit. In the hands of Mr Douglas Dali this part receives careful and sympathetic treatment, and there is ample evidence that this performer has become fully imbued with the correct atmosphere of his part. The third old bachelor is Judge Trumbull, a stern judiciary upon tile bench, but a kindly, though dignified character in private life, and his portrayal by Mr George Salmoud leaves little to be desired. When he finds himself in the midst of a series of mysterious occurrences in which a member of the household appears to be involved, the judicial side of his being becomes more noticeably apparent, and it is in some of these scenes that Mr Salmond does much of his best work. Miss Anita Winkel gives a charmingly natural and effective characterisation of the part of Sidney Fairchild, the daughter of the woman with whom the three oldsters had once been in love. She is the first disturbing, or one should say revivifying, influence in the bachelor establishment, for when she is preceded .by a letter from her mother explaining to the three men that it is her dying wish that they should look after her child, they think that the latter is an infant boy, and are considerably startled to find themselves the guardians of a 20-year-oid girl. It is soon apparent, however, that the change in their lives is a beneficial one, and they take the girl to their hearts with a. unanimity which is .productive of many amusing scenes. Throughout her performance Miss Winkel maintains a grace and charm of manner w-hich are singularly attractive, and in the later scenes of the play in which she is suspected of association with an escaped convict whose avowed intention is to wreak vengeance on the judge who sentenced him, she carries out a difficult part without any trace of exaggeration either of voice or gesture. Mr Angus Gorrie is responsible for a vigorous and convincing performance in the role of Gordon Schuyler, Theodore Findlay’s nephew, a young man-about-tow-n, who has a mind of his own and whose failure to see eye to eye with his uncle in the matter of engaging in nonest toil instead of living a life of ease and luxury is productive of several furious scenes in which an open breach is barely averted by the tactful intervention of Dr Gaunt. The arrival of Sidney in the household proves the turning point in the young man’s career, for the pair experience a mutual attraction which tends to relegate the elderly trio somewhat to the background whenever Schuyler appears on the scene. Even in Sidney’s darkest hour the young man is her staunchest supporter. and his trust is vindicated in the final scenes. Mr Gorrie's work throughout the production is marked by confidence and vigour, and he, makes of the young nephew- a forceful and attractive personality. The other members of the cast whose activities contribute very largely to the undoubted success of the production are Mr Charles Smith and Mr E. ; W. Griffiths, as two detectives from police headquarters. Mr Gordon Niven, as Gray the butler. Miss Elsie M‘Peak as Mrs Saunders, the housekeeper, Mr Douglas Skene, as Benjamin Suratt, an escaped criminal, Mr Roland Watson, as John Craw-shay, a character whose identity is revealed only in the closing stages of the play, and Mr Bert Jones, aa Douglas, a footman. The setting of “Three Wise Fools” is admirably .tasteful and effective, and the general production, which is in the capable hands of Mr Richard White, is carried out with considerable skill. At appropriate intervals during the entertainment'attractive musical selections are presented by Begg’s Orchestra, under the baton of Mr J. F, Himburg. “Three Wise Fools,” a special performance of which was given for members of the unemployed on Wednesday evening, will be presented again this evening and to-morrow- evening.