TRIUMPH OF CASTING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18266, 8 December 1933, Page 5

TRIUMPH OF CASTING

“NINE TILL SIX” MISS ROSEMARY REES’ PRODUCTION SUCCESSFUL AMATEURS Gisborne amateur talent was splendidly cast in the comedy-drama, “Nine Till fj’ix,” which was staged at the Opera House last night and will be presented again to-night. Miss Rosemary Rees, whose Success as an actress and novelist is well known, was the producer, and she also took a. loading part in her final public appearance before leaving her home town on her return to London. Miss Rees is to be congratulated upon making such good use of amateur talent.

At the. close of the performance, Miss Rees congratulated the performers, who, she said, were tremendously clever, and had given a show up to professional standard. She also said that the audience would agree with her in this statement, and her assumption was correct. All the characters gave a polished performance, and all who had appeared before tho Gisborne public previously showed up to even greater advantage than oil any other occasion. The play', which was by Aimee and Phillip Stuart, was one that could have been spoiled very easily if it bad been subjected to indifferent treatment. In the early stages the action moved a little too slowly, although there -was no denying the artistry of the characters, but as tbe story moved on to its climax the atmosphere became tense, under the excellent work of the performers, and the audience was captivated with the humor and pathos displayed. All the players were women, and they were so well cast and balanced that no weakness could be detected. In past amateur efforts, and in some of the professional shows, too, one of the main weaknesses lias been that strong and weak characters have created a lack of balance. For “Nine Till Six,” however, a great deal of thought must have been given to the casting, for everyone fitted perfectly into her place, and they could not have been imagined in any other role but that which they' took. One feature was very marked; each character was natural, and nothing was overdone.

In one of the leading roles, Miss Rees, as Mrs. Pembroke, tbe proprietress of a Regent street millinery and, dressmaking shop, gave a polished performance. Her part called for sympathetic treatment above, the ordinary, particularly in tbe final act, and she carried it out with the aplomb of the true artist. Her manner was quiet and unaffected, yet immensely effective. She seemed to carry all the worries of the difficult establishment she was supposed to bo running; in fact, she got right inside, her character, and carried it off perfectly. The next in order of appearance was Mrs. \V. A. Bowie, who made a splendid Miss Roberts, an advanced type of millinery saleswoman, who jealously defended any suggestion that anything was wrong in her department. She carried her difficult part through with a delicate restraint that won her much applause. and it was one of her best characterisations to date. Mrs. M. A. Black had the role of Freda, the stock-keeper in the dressmaking department, who held definite opinions regarding the rights of employer and employee. She got through her part with great dramatic effect, particularly when Freda’s better self triumphed when she understood her employer’s difficulties. Miss Valerio Cox, as Gracie Abbott, an apprentice, was also called upon for Some effective dramatic work, which she carried out with splendid voice and action, yet with the restraint that ranked her performance above the ordinary'. It was a different type of character from those which she had portrayed in Gisborne previously, and the audience was captivated with the treatment she gave her role. As Grade’s mother, Mrs. R. G. Crawford gave a faithful portrayal of a London woman from the lower classes.

Though appearing late in the first act, Mrs. Wilton L. Irwin was on the stage a great deal during the remaining part of the play as Clare, Mrs. Pembroke’s daughter. Hers was a particularly pleas-

ing portrayal of a modern young business woman, temperamental and impetu ous, and at war with the heads of departments.

Mrs J. Cf. Nolan was in 1 lie role of Bridgit Pemirth, a member of the upper class who was apprenticed in the business, and she gave her character just the right touch required.

Miss Cora Oman was a boisterous and good-natured head packer who caused a great deal of amusement at times,' 1 and won applause for her very effective work.

Even in the smaller parts, there was some excellent work, particularly by the girl with a perpetual grouse and by tlie French head of the workroom. The additional parts were played as follows: —Mrs Basil Adair, as Daisy; Miss Pamela Price, as Gwladys; Miss Muriel Barker, as Lady Avonlaye, Bridgit’s mother; Miss Leslie Mce, as Violet; Mrs Wilfrid C. Ivolin and Misses Ruth ,Sinclair and Shona Williams as mannequins; and Mile Roberto Thomas, as M’ile, the head of the workroom.

Behind the stage, there were the following: Stage manager, Mr. A. J. Nicol; assistant stage manager, Mr. H. McLernon; prompter, Miss Ellen Millar; make-up artist, Mr. A. S. Seymour; properties by Mr. Barry Irvine. Incidental music was played by Mr. Henri de Lisac and his orchestra.

A second performance of this most successful production will be given to-night.