"THE DOVER ROAD"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22295, 22 June 1934, Page 10

"THE DOVER ROAD"

UNIVERSITY DRAMATIC SOCIETY'S SUCCESS AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE The trouble about such singularly good performances as the University Dramatic Society's presentation of "The Dover Road " is that they tempt reviewers into devoting too much space to them. There can be no question about it, the interpretation of Mr A. A. Milne's delightful comedy-drama which was given in His Majesty's Theatre last evening was a definite theatrical achievement, a distinct credit to the cast, which, incidentally, was one of the best-balanced amateur combinations seen in Dunedin since the recent recrudescence of the amateur dramatic fever, and a superlatively convincing demonstration of the value of sympathetic and well-informed production. During the past 12 months it has been a singularly interesting study watching the vagaries of the amateur stage in Dunedin. Actually the adjective " exciting"" suits the case better than " interesting " because one never knows down which side road amateur theatricals are going to plunge next. Now and again, however, by a fortunate concatenation of circumstances," as Mr Milne would say, or is it merely " a bit of luck," someone acbieves the dual distinction of finding an admirable play, and with it the admirably-cast cast This is precisely what has happened with respect to the University Society's latest effort. Whether the committee or the: producer is responsible is a matter of small moment (although it is not difficult to discern the influence of Miss Bessie Thomson). The essential fact is that the players and their material have in this instance been more felicitously wedded than in any recent performance. This will account for a review which takes scant notice of the comedic genius which created the diverting characters of "The Dover Road," and appears to concentrate unduly on their presentation by a company of players who must bless the happy inspiration which impelled them to throw in, their lot with Miss Bessie. Thomson.

Of the play itself it is sufficient to say that its comedy ripples and sparkles like an overnight fresh in spring sunlight. It is subtle, but not too much so. Its wit can hardly bo described as acid, but satirical!/ it accomplishes exactly what such intimate satire should achieve. If at times its thrusts scratch, they scratch only to smart and never to draw blood.; One can hardly imagine Mr Milne so ardent a reformer as to wish to hurt, where actually hurt is unnecessary. The whole thing is whimsy, and if the mood is right it is easy and at the same time pleasant to regard the thing entirely as a delightful fantasy. Such plays,'however, are by no means easy to present, and without proper production they are impossible. Miss Thomson, however, made every post a winning post, and with a deft touch here, a little sympathy there, and her own keenly developed dramatic sense to back up all her efforts, she gave the players every opportunity to 'distinguish themselves. Fortunately the cast was so 'constituted as to be able to do as much for her as she did and the result was a genuinely impressive performance. The heart of the show was so obviously in the right place that it is almost impossible to criticise it adversely. Perfect use was made of a really delightful set, every opportunity which the stage afforded was fully exploited, and there was the hand of the expert behind everything. Neatness and' intelligence characterised the grouping throughout, and exits, the pitfall of so many amateurs, were admirable. With so well balanced a performance it U almost dangerous to make an arbitrary selection of the stars, so the safest course to adopt is to deal with the principals in the order of their appearance. This, therefore, takes us straight to Leonard and Anne, marooned on the Dover Road and inveigled into Lattimer's "sort of hotel." Mr Russell Napier's Leonard was excellent. He is a confidently accomplished player, and on this occasion he contrived to capture, and, what is even more important, to isolate- every facet of the intriguing character which he presents. The undercurrent of vehemence which he produces in the first act is admirable and his whole demeanour in the dressing-gown-cum-bathrobe scene was arrestingly effective. Personality and a well-developed sang-froid do a lot for him at any time, but in addition to these he hag the happy and essential knack of submerging himself completely in his part. Actually it is, questionable whether he has ever done anything as good, and to those who are familiar with his style that is saying a good deal. It was impossible not to like Miss Isobel Newlands's Anne. In fact* this young lady, the tyro of the cast, achieved real brilliance on more than one occasion, notably in her final exit, when, in Mr Lattimer's words, she asked him to be her father. For one taking her first plunge, she was fortunate in her audience. They accepted _ her from her first entrance and recognised instantly the rare merit of her portrait. If at times she seemed less., thau sure of herself she had only herself to blame, for she attained such artistic heights in one or two scenes that ordinarily good performance seemed mediocre by comparison. Actually there was nothing mediocre or nondescript in anything she did. She has a well-developed dramatic sense, and in her natural effortless style there is not the faintest trace of smudge or carelessness. After this pair come s Mr Lester Moller in the role of the quaintly mysterious Mr Lattimer. Here is a new Mr Moller, 'full of resource, and exhibiting a mental concentration on the work in hand which enables him to present his undoubted talent in a new and greatly improved light. It ie not flattering him unduly to credit him with a genuine Boucicault : touch nor will he take it amiss that, probably for the first time, he forget completely that he was Lester Moller. Perhaps a highly attractive and effective make-up helped him in this, but there could be no question concerning the manner in which he sank himself in. a role that wa s so totally .different from anything he had previously attempted. Voice, gestures, and movements were all so obviously , right that he required only that mental concentration already referred to, to present the best studv he has given to date. Both Miss Margot Garrett and Mr Wyvern de Clive Lowe maintained the high standard set by those who preceded them. Mis a Garrett put both life and colour into her portrait of Eustasia. She fussed delightfully and never overdid her coinedv. Sho was perfectly cast and brought unusual ability to a role which suited her admirably. Her task was to provide tne excuse for Leonard's strictures on women, and she did it faultlessly. Her entrances and exits showed that she found her stage feet a good while ago, and her robust confidence spells even greater triumphs for her in the future. Mr. de Clive Lowe gave one the impression of not acting at all. He seemed so completely at home in his part that it was almost possible to believe that he had at some time or another actually taken the Dover road. Naturalness is always effective, and in his case it succeeded in capturing the imagination of the audience verv speedily. He simulates uncertainty very realistically, and yet contrives to present forthrightness and character with equal effect. Mr Bruce M'Kenzie was a delightfully decorative Dominic. Impassive of countenance and soft of voice, he was a model butler, and his movements were excellent. Mr Lattimer's staff were represented by Miss Joy Reid and Miss Joy Rae and .Mr Alan Heath and Mr Gifford Williams, all of whom did all that was asked of tnera. Finally came Miss Tepbanv Ross and Mr Geoffrey Benson, the travellers, who put the finishing touches to the talc. The stage management is more than capablv carried out bv Mr T. C. Wynne, who is to be congratulated on the settings, in which, however, he was favoured with t;ie assistance of Mr Les Hill. "The Dover Road" will be presented again this evening and also to-inorrow evening.