FOR SHOW WEEK

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 6

FOR SHOW WEEK

MYSTERY, CRIME, COMEDY. “SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE.” Are revivals justified? Theatrical people sometimes regard them as risky, but when they know that hundreds of people have been disappointed because they could not get in to see a play, they look at the matter differently. This is the case with “Seven Keys to'Baldpate.” It was presented in Invercargill as an experiment by the Invercargill Operatic and Dramatic Society, and it was such a terrific success, that on the last night almost as many people were turned away disappointed as were in the theatre enjoying the quickaction, the thrills and laughter of this remarkable play. The general opinion expressed was that that was a production quite equal to professional standards, and the funniest and most thrilling play seen in Invercargill in very many years. The society was deluged with requests to put it on again, and some other towns in the province asked that it be sent there, but unfortunately the scenery required is too elaborate, and this venture could not be undertaken. However, the society was able to secure two nights in Show Week, and so “Seven Keys to Baldpate” will be produced in the Municipal Theatre on Monday and Tuesday next. Visitors to Invercargill will want to see what the society, which has a reputation for high-class productions, can do, and this will be a glorious opportunity. On Tuesday night her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson will be present at the performance. “Seven Keys to Baldpate” is a play without a dull moment—it is a play that covers the whole range of human emotion —it is a play that will make people grip their seats, and the next minute will have them, sitting back laughing. It mystifies the audience and yet reveals everything to them, but so cunningly that they forget how much they know, and are carried along in the rapid stream of its action.

There is only one way to avoid the disappointment of missing this wonderful play —book early. The box plan will be opened to-day at The Bristol, and the public has been reminded that there are only a limited number of seats in the theatre.