NELLIE BRAMLEY RETURNS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1924, Page 9

NELLIE BRAMLEY RETURNS.

POWERFI L AMERICAN DRAMA. Miss Nellie Bramley returned to New Plymouth las.t nigh t to play a threenight farewell season, and as the first of her offerings staged Eugene Walters’ drama “Paid in Full.” Treated in the frank, realistic style expected of an American author, “Paid in Full” is a type of play that rivets the attention because of the direct simplicity of its theme and the openings it nxikes for acting of the tense, emotional order. It enlists the sympathy of the audience fropi the start in the struggle of. two young people against an adverse tide of life, intrigues the inquiring mind tyith . the question, “Was Joe 'Broqks the right choice of a husband for so good and honest a woman as Emma?*’ and sets the spectators keenly wondering whether the husband’s defalcations will be exposed and his wife subjected to humiliation. The scene in which Emma goes to the bachelor quarters of her husband’s seafaring employer in a despairing effort to “square’’ the wrqng is full of dramatic possibilities, and is 'handled in magnificent fashion by the principals. The final act completely satisfies the logical demands of the situations which develop.

As the courageous Emma, Miss Nellie Bramley had frequent opportunities to reveal her powers of emotional acting. This she accomplished in a completely effective manner, particularly striking being her mental deportment in. the third act. The tearful expression of relief and thankfulness with which the act ends are very affecting. Mr. George Bryant, who appeared in his original role of Captain Williams, gave a finelydrawn picture of the gruff, honest old bachelor. Voice, gesture, and posture were so genuinely in keeping with the type represented the quality of his work met with due recognition, and he was a prime favourite during the evening. Mr. George Hewlett fulfilled all the requirements as Emma’s husband-weak-willed, hesitant, and latterly giving evidence of an -unmanliness- unworthy of the husband of so good a woman as. Emma. Guy Hastings, jyas -popularly east Jimsy Smith,- the faithful friend of Emma, and gave a ehhiacteristicaliy impressive performance. Miss Kathryn Murie and Miss Sylvia McNair, as Beth and Mrs. Harris respectively, filled roles of lesser importance. •