THE PRIVATE SECRETARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16230, 3 January 1927, Page 4

THE PRIVATE SECRETARY

— ■ A BRIGHT COMEDY. Till-: CAST. Douglas Catermore.....F. Willoughby Mrs "Stead (his landlady). .C. Brunette Harrv Marsland (Dug's Friend) N. Jeffries Gibson (Tailor) M. Lynch Rev. Robert Spalding..'— B. Allan(The Private Secretary) Mr. CaTorinole .... W. Stafford Miss Ashtoul (Spiritualistic Maniac) Avis North Mr. Marsland (M.F.H.) V. GreyEdith M.'rsJaud (his daughter) N. Herbert Eva Webster (her friend;. .J. Beverley Knox (a bailiff) B. Wilson. John (a servant) A. Roberts The presentation at the Opera House on Saturday night by Mr. J. W. Meado and company, by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd,, of the well-known comedy "The Private Secretary" was attended with success, there being a large house for the first performance. The comedy is a particularly bright and ludicrous one, and those.present were convulsed with laughter on many occasions. Containing boundless'elean humor, with scores of amusing situations, "The Private Sccretnry" can always be counted on for a hearty laugVand this certainly was not lacking on Saturday night. The story deals with the adventures and misadventures of Douglas Catermole, a young man about town, whose rich uncle is determined that lie shall not have a penny until he has "sewn his wild oats." Douglas, however, has no inclination to do so, but on account of pressure by his creditors,, principally his tailor, he decides to leave London for a short time, and to this end impersonates the Rev. Robert Spalding as private secretary to Mr. Marsland. Meanwhile the uncle arrives from India, and on going to his nephew's flat, meets the real private secretary, in whom he is much disappointed. He also goes to stay with Mr. Marsland, and is immediately impressed with the secretary, who is really his nephew. Mr. Marsland's daughter is similarly impressed. Laughter takes charge when the real secretary also arrives, followed shortly afterwards by the tailor, and numerous ludicrous situations follow, the play finally ending happily. Frank Willoughby gave an excellent performance in the role of Douglas Catermole. His work was clever and finished, and his enunciation was splendid, the humor being well sustained. Bruce Allan, was always amusing in the part of the Rev. Robert Spalding, the real private, secretary, and he never failed to bring a laugh with his "do you know ?" His ludicrous appearance was much-in his favor ns a comedian, and his mien well-suited to the part. His work was not overdone, and he was greeted with ah outburst of laughter every time ho appeared on the.stage. Gibson, the'tailor (Maurice Lynch), and Avis North as Miss Ashford, the spiritualistic maniac, added much to the humor of the play, and Naomi Herbert as Edith Marsland,. who became enamoured of Douglas Catermole, gave a bright performance. William Stafford had plenty of scope for humor in the role of the rich uncle, but he gave a weak interpretation of the part. The remainder of the cast performed their parts Well, and the selections rendered by the orchestra, under the leadership of Miss Daisy Brussey added much to the pleasure of the production. 1 ' The Private Secretary'' will bo repeated at the Opera House to-night, when the Gisbome season will bo con; eluded. . .', .