DUNEDIN STROLLING PLAYERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22258, 10 May 1934, Page 11

DUNEDIN STROLLING PLAYERS

“THE MIDDLE WATCH” The performance of -/‘The’ Middle Watch ” by the Dunedin Strolling Players in the Town Hall last evening was probably the beat achievement- of this troupe to date, mainly on account of the fact that they have not tackled anything quite so ambitious before. It is not an easy task for a company of amateurs to do justice to this delightful farce, but it hhs to be admitted that the Strolling Players acquitted themselves very well indeed. The play requires a large cast and in that respect the company was faced with special difficulties, 'but it managed to overcome them very effectively and presented a performance which appealed greatly on account of the very creditable average accomplishment of all concerned. One of the difficulties about “The Middle Watch” is that there are no really outstanding stars, and consequently any organisation attempting it must,find, a whole batch of competent players. The captain of H.M.S. Falcon is one of the most prominent figures in the tale, but just as much limelight plays around the roles of the admiral, the commander, the two girls who are found aboard ship at irregular hours, the chaperon, Miss Hopkinson, and even the sentry, Marine Ogg, and the corporal. All these characters were well presented, and the audience spent a genuinely amusing evening. Their appreciation of the efforts of the performers must have been very encouraging.

Mr Douglas Dali had the role of Captain Maitland and interpreted it very well. One. was tempted to think, however, that he had the film version of the play constantly in mind because many of his mannerisms and modes of speech were distinctly Owen Nares-ish. Not that they lacked attractiveness for that. Miss Anita Winkel as Mary Carlton, the foreign American who proved such a thorn in the uxorious side of Marine Ogg, and Miss Molly Baker as Fay Eaton, each gave a good account! of herself, the former in particular affecting a gay insouciance and sportive mischievousness which were very much in charact< r. Miss Gwenda Burt’s Charlotte Hopkinson was an admirable study, and among the best of the evening. This choleric eoiil is without doubt one of the highlights of the comedy, and Miss Burs certainly made her so. Mr George Salmond was generally quite sure of him l self as the commander, and Mr Roland Watson’s Captain Randall was another diverting study. Mr Reynolds Herbert was responsible'for some exceptionally good character drawing in the role of Marine Ogg. He had a not inconsiderable task, and made the most of it, adhering rigidly to the peculiarities of speech and gesture which are necessary to a proper presentation of the role. Mr Percy Smith’s Corporal Duckett was very well done, particularly on .the vocal side. Mr Douglas Skene had many opportunities as Admiral Hewitt, and there were very few that he missed. The cabin changing scenes and the final denouement he carried off with all the aplomb of an experienced performer. Miss Erana Newbold did well as the Admiral’s daughter, and the part of her mother was very neatly executed by Miss Elsie MTeak. Mr Charles Smith and Mr Arthur Salmond filled minor roles very capably. The Strolling Players are to be complimented on the excellent mounting of the production, the stage management of which was in the hands of Mr Clarence Paine, while Mr Douglas Dali shouldered the burden of production. The D.T.C. Orchestra provided a pleasing programme of incidental music between acts. One of the features of the staging was the correctness of detail and atmosphere which were achieved, an accomplishment in, the contrivance of which the company is indebted to Commander Watson, R.N.V.R., and Mr G. Dickie.

The production will be presented again this evening', and on Friday and Saturday evenings also, and the fact that it is a highly creditable performance coupled with the worthy character of its object—the raising of funds for the Y.M.C.A.—should result in good attendances for the rest of the season.