“ISABEL, EDWARD AND ANNE”

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1934, Page 9

“ISABEL, EDWARD AND ANNE”

COMEDY AT NEW PLYMOUTH. PROCEEDS FOR Y.M.C.A. FUNDS. Good acting, effective stage arrangements and clever “make up” made enjoyable entertainment of Gertrude Jennings three-act comedy “Isabel, Edward and Anne,” at its first production at St. Mary’s hall, New Plymouth, last night. The play was well supported by the public, the reputation of the players being assisted by the worth of the cause, as all profits were to be given to the New Plymouth Y.M.C.A. The play itself is clever and bright, effective dialogue strengthening an essentially romantic plot. In the very life-like personality of Edward Carew, a part played by Dr. S. C. Allen, was seen the typical Conservative, eminently respectable, sound enough at heart, a reliable if somewhat dull husband, who was certain that in doing what he thought best for her his daughter would find perfect happiness. Without Isabel, his wife (Mrs. J. S. Church), he would have been nothing, and the pure altruism of her tireless efforts to make a successful politician of him forms one of the pleasing sidelights of the plot. A splendid wife, Mrs. Carew proves a capable and understanding mother, and her schemes for the welfare of her daughter Anne, which provide the chief interest in the play, are as successful as those for her husband. Her sacrifices for her hubsand, however, are not greater than those of Mrs. Bucket (Miss Constance Leatham) for her son. No more than a sempstress in the Carew household, Mrs. Bucket refuses to become a “skelington in the cupboard” for her son, a clever young artist with an eye for the M.P.’s (daughter. Around the sempstress, gawky and garrulous, the main comic interest ■ centres. The “skelington idea worries her a good deal, until she realises that most people have their particular “skelingtons in the cupboard.” Had he been more sure of his lines Dr. Allen could have made a more convincing politician. Handicapped in this way, perhaps through nervousness, he nevertheless gave a good portrayal of the stubborn, somewhat selfish Edward Carew, haunted by the spectres of “Buckets” associating with his daughter. Mrs. Church was more at home in her part, to which she gave a pleasing realism. Old enough to be thoroughly understanding in her husband’s. world, shenevertheless remained sufficiently young to know her modem daughter, and to sympathise with the affairs of the young lovers. “What a politician you would have made” is her husband’s exclamation as he realises the depth of the shrewdness of her planning. I have made one,” her brief reply, sums up the aim of her married life. Miss Nonnie Griffiths made a good Anne. Impulsive, hasty in word and action, she defied her father’s Victorian respectability—morbid, Mrs. Bucket called it—to find the course of true love come straight in the end. The part was very natural, neither too stiff nor over-acted. She shared the honours with Mr. A. R. Lucas, who as the artist son of the servant aspired to the hand of the squire s daughter and won. He, too, was admirably natural. Miss Constance Leatham emerged the “star” of the performance. Aided by a cleverly studied “make-up,” she played the loving mother and ludicrous widow to perfection. Her volubility, her shrewd comments, supreme awkwardness and her remarkable attire made her an immediate favourite with her audience. Miss Dorothy Simpson had a difficult part but made good work of it. As the dissatisfied peeress, Lady Massingham, who for suite at the artist’s lack of interest in her, spread scandal to rum his career, she proved very convincing. As a maid Miss V. Ross had a minor part, but gave a creditable performance her best scene being a dialogue with Mrs. Bucket. The dignity and poise demanded of the perfect butler were given to his part by Mr. J. BoltMr. J. H. Ledgerwood’s part as producer must not be overlooked, the stage arrangements particularly being a credit to him. A gramophone recital by Dr. H. B. Leatham before the show and between acts was much enjoyed. “Isabel, Edward and Anne” will again be produced at St. Mary’s Hall to-mor-row (Saturday) night.