Racing Play by Edgar Wallace

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 26

Racing Play by Edgar Wallace

HUMOUR AND A PLOT OWEN NARES AT HIS BEST No murderers, no detectives, no revolvers—yet “The Calendar” at Wyndham’s is first-class Edgar Wallace of the ripest and most authentic brand, writes Alan Parsons in the “Daily Mail.” Firstly, there is an excellent story —and what a relief just now to see a play with a real plot!—and secondly, the whole thing is brimming over with that special variety of humour which Mr. Wallace has so much made his own. X have only to say that Gordon Harker plays the part of an ex-burglar turned butler, and every Wallace “fan” will realise how rich a mine of Cockney comedy has been opened up for his delight. Every time he opens that rat-trap

of a mouth, every time that shifty eye leers with the dawning glimmer of an idea behind it, it is a fresh and lasting joy. Owen Nares is a young racing man who gets into severe trouble with the stewards of the Jockey Club because of an in-

discreet note he has written about the running of his horse to a blackmailing woman on the eve of a big race. Cathleen Nesbitt is the woman, and nobody plays these unpleasant feline roles with quite the same gusto nor looks the part so magnificently. To save his honour he has to recover another letter he has written to her, and a grand bedroom scene in which it is stolen brings the excitement to a fitting close. Mr. Nares is at his best, suave, easy, restrained, yet showing throughout the desperate anxiety of the man. Alfred Drayton has a part after his own heart as a generous-minded bookmaker, and Carol Reed, Cronin-Wilson and Nigel Bruce play small parts with distinction.

Gillian Lind unfortunately has a rather colourless little part unworthy of her talents, but she does all she has to do with her usual unfailing taste.

Everybody in the audience seemed happy—not least of all the author in the stage box.