SPARKLING COMEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17502, 26 February 1931, Page 5

SPARKLING COMEDY

“THE UNFAIR SEX” GOOD HOUSE AT TOLAGA Staged in aid of the earthquake relief fund at Tolaga Bay, it performance of Eric Hudson’s sparkling comedy, “The Unfair Sox,” by a company of Gisborne amateurs provided an exceptional attrae : turn at the coastal centre last evening, 'file production took place in the Reynolds Hall, and the attendance must, have been most gratifying In the performers and to the sponsors of the relief fund effort in tho township. The play is one of the brightest comedies ever brought to New Zealand, and its performance by a professional company that toured the Dominion some years ago will be. fresh in the minds of many theatre-goers. Full of strikingly humorous situations, alive with clever and epigrammatic dialogue, just su.ffi eicntly daring in plot and presentation to interest an audience accustomed to the modern stage, the comedy was presented at Tolaga Bay by a cast- which proved fully capable, of doing justice to the author and his work. Based on the activities of an elderly bachelor, with wide experience in the divorce court and a consequently jaundiced view of the obligations of matrimony, the comparatively innocent flirtations of his nephew and niece, and the plot- and counter-plot which arise from the uncle’s endeavors to show the younger people the error el their ways, the story possesses a character of remarkably wide appeal. The uncle plots to frighten the young peoplo witli the prospect of a divorce, and when lie reveals his scheme, he is amazed to find that they are going on with tho divorce, or at least declare their intention to do so. The whole situation is cleared up in it last act which sustains the interest to its effective close. The character ol tho bachelor uncle, Sir Henry Keskett, with its heavy demands on the player, was taken by Mr. VV. J. Kelly in a highly capable manner. The light and shade of the part were given close attention, and there was hot a false note in the portrayal from beginning to end. Miss Ellen Millar, in ttie part of the hostess of a house-parly at which the situation develops, gave an understanding rendering, making the most of the many opportunities given her. Miss Mabel Gallichan and Mrs. \V. A. BoWie both were spirited in their respective characters, the first as the wife of Geoffrey Trevor, nephew of Sir Henry, and the second'as a fellow-guest whose flirtation with Geoffrey is one of the causes of Sir Henry’s discomfiture. A convincing and extremely clever presentation of the part of Harvey Fane, a silly-ass type who proves to have more in him than appears oh the surface, was given by Mr. Wilfrid Kohh, his paiticipation in various scenes being the occasion of repeated roars of laughter, tiiehlv competent was the work of Mr. A S. Muir in the part of Geoffrey Trevor, a light-hearted husband who conspires with his wife and fellow-guests to make a laughing stock of his uncle. Miss Cora Oman, in the part of Pinker, the maid, was much enjoyed by the audience, and added the last convincing touch to a splendid performance. At the close of the production, the Rev. W. H. Smith, on behalf of the Tolaga Bay relief committee, expressed ttie thanks' of the audience to the players. Later the company was entertained at supper hv Mesdamcs J. Reeves, K. Matheson, G. K. King, and A. Weeks. The presentation of tho comedy was assisted by Dr. Weeks and Messrs. 11. P. deMontalk, W. F. Morton, 11. LTempest, and A. Lawrence, and the Rev W H. Smith, in various capacities; and by the loan of the necessary furniture bv Mr. J. iTloare. “The Unfair Sex” will lie presented in Gisborne, under the auspices of the Rotary Club, at an early date, the performances being on behalf of the earthquake relief funds. At Tolaga Bay last evening, Mr. Kelly appeared as understudy‘for Mr. A.‘ Zachariah, who was unalile to make flip journey to the < oast.