LEADING BOY OF 15 PLAYS IN “AFTER DARK.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18012, 24 November 1926, Page 7

LEADING BOY OF 15 PLAYS IN “AFTER DARK.”

LONDON AWAITS NEW BIG MYSTERY DRAMA. (Special to the “ Star.’’) LONDON, September 18. Billy Speechley, a boy of fifteen, is to take one of the two leading parts in “ After Dark," the new mystery plat', by Mr Jefferson Far jeon, to be produced at the Garrick Theatre on Monday evening. Though Billy has appeared before in small parts in the West End. this is his first big chance. He is to partner Mr Horace Hodges, of “ Lightnin’ ” fame, who makes his reappearance in the West End after a long interval. 1 found Billy, writes a “ Westminster •Gazette ” reporter, on the stage of the Garrick Theatre yesterday. He was dressed as .a newsboy, which is the part he is playing in “ After Dark.” “I’ve never had a long part like this before.” he t.old me, “ but somehow I don’t feel nervous. The others tell me that sort of feeling will come when I’m older and understand more what is at stake. “Playing with Mr Hodges is great fun! He plays the part of a nice old gentleman who is left at home while his family goes to the theatre. “ Suddenly a newsboy—the part I play*—bursts into the room and says lie has seen someone climbing up the balcony. Mr Hodges and I decide to investigate. Then the fun begins.” Billy* Speechley is a Boy- Scout. According to Scout etiquette he must have a chaperon during his visits to the theatre, so a special small part has been included for one of the Scoutmasters at his camp, and this officei escorts him - to and from the theatre. Mr Hodges also is very enthusiastic about his new partner. “I think hq is going to astonish the first-night audience,” he said. “ He has a tremendously long part and seems quite expert in it already. Mr Hodges gave me the interesting news that his next role may be in a modern version of “ The Pilgrim’s Progress,” written by a very well-known public personage, whose first plav it will be. Mr Farjeon- is anxious that “After

Dark ” shall not be taken too seri ously*. “It is a fantastic ‘ Alice-in-Wonderland * sort of affair,” he says, “ and I don’t want audiences to think I shall be hurt if they laugh, even at the most thrilling moments.” The play has a fine cast, including Donald C’althrop, Norah Robinson, Malcolm Keen, and Gilbert Ritchie, m addition to Mr Hodges.

The following telegram has been forwarded to the Hon O. Hawken. Minister in Charge of Agriculture, by Mr G. 11. Bradford, secretary of the Canterbury* Co-op Poultry* Producers’ Limited:—"My directors would like to knew if it has been decided whether Mr F. C. Broun, chief poultry instructor is to visit the World’s Poultry Congress in Canada as requested by the poultry* producers of New Zealand.”