BRIGHT COMEDY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 8

BRIGHT COMEDY

Busman’s Honeymoon ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION In presenting “Busman’s Honeymoon” a detective comedy in three acts by Dorothy L. Sayers and M. St. Clare Byrne, in St. Patrick’s Hall last night, the Timaru Catholic Dramatic Club maintained its high reputation before a capacity house which enthusiastically acclaimed the success of the entertainment. Clever variations pf tempo combined with a “clicking” of cues served to eliminate any suspicion of flatness, and the whole performance moved with an intelligence which sustained the interest of the onlookers until the denouement. The producer’s regard for detail was evident in the use of lighting and scenery which gave an authentic background to the t‘ le and place of the happenings. The plot of the play which concerned a murder, was an unusual one in that the formula employed distinguished the true detective problem from the “thriller" on one hand and the psychological crime story on the other and presented in a specialised artform every clue at the same time to the audience and the detective. For the first act, in which most of the major clues were introduced the method chosen was that of visual presentation. The clues as to means were displayed silently but conspicuously down stage, while at the same time the animated discussion of trivialities up-stage held the ear and divided the attention of the audience. In the second act the method was slightly varied. While the inquiry was ostensibly directed to motive the information actually conveyed to the audience chiefly concerned opportunity or lack of it. In scene one, act three the human and emotional aspect of the situation as it affected the private lives of the characters concerned became the main source of interest. Masks were dropped all round in farci-cal-comedy, tragi-comedy and roman-tic-comedy. In the final scene, both the disguised and ostensible clues extracted from the previous scenes were p sented in visual reconstruction to solve the problem on purely theatrical lines, and the result was a three-part fugue which grew in interest as the play progressed. The story Itself ■ ■-s absorbingly interesting and acted as it was by a well-balanced and talented team of actors, whose work was indicative of the competency and artistry of the producer, must lank among the best amateur plays seen in Timaru.

The Players As Harriet, the wife of Lord Peter Wimsey, purchaser of the house which was the scene of the murder, Mrs C. F. B. Clarke gave an outstanding performance in keeping with her many other fine achievements. The diversity of emotions with which the r ir t abounded made heavy demands on her ability, but the manner in which she reacted to them was a fine tribute to her appreciation of dramatic worth. Mr J. Prendergast entered the peerage as Lord Peter Wimsey, as if to the manner born. A good speaking voice allied to a confident stage presence served to make his part appear easy, and this fact was a decided tribute to his histrionic sense. The role of the efficient but unobtrusive butler to Lord Wimsey was convincingly portrayed by Mr D. Parsons, who gave his best performance to date. His presence on the stage never obtruded beyond the limit of the duties of a well-trained butler, and this showed that he saw his character in its proper perspective. The character of the hesitant and genial Rev. Simon Goodacre presented no difficulties to Mr C. F. B. Clarke, who gave a polished performance of a part which was robbed of its incongruity by the skill of the author and the actor. As Mr Puffet, the cheery chimney sweep, around whom much of the first act revolves, Mr T. L. Jackson was afforded ample scope to indulge his clever humour. His sallies were spontaneous and infectious aid much enjoyed by the audience. The sparrow-like Mrs Twitterton played by Mrs J. P. McCarten, was no sinecure, and the heavy demands made upon her in the scene in which she is despised by her so-called lover revealed artistry of high quality. The talkative and self-assured Mrs Ruddle, who was quite an Important personage in the play, was ably presented by Miss K. Costigan. This player gave a splend t performance by remaining well within the character. Perhaps the most complex study of the play was invested in the part of Frank Crutchley, acted by Mr F. Burton, upon whom so much of the success of the production depended. That the performance was a success was proof of the ability of this player to present the various complexes of the character in an intelligent and convincing manner. Mr H. W. Brownie afforded an opportunity for a change of tempo by his spirited interpretation of the >art of the debt collector, Mr Mcßride. Ils assertiveness was well maintained end added to the variety of the production. In charge of police Investigations as Superintendent Kirk, Mr R. Craig weighed the pros and cc.,s in the illuminating C.I.D. manner, and the various cross-examinations allowed him to indulge his forensic eloquence with an astuteness that appealed to the audience. A spectacular turn in events implicated Constable Sellon, played by Mr L. P. Collins, who extracted the most from an intensely dramatic situation. The minor parts of George and Bill played by Messrs P. Tobin and G. Goddard respectively were quite in keeping with the high standard of the production. Music by a special orchestra contributed much to the success of the evening. The play will be presented again to-night.