FROCKING AT “THARK.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 14

FROCKING AT “THARK.”

Another of Ben Travers’s inimitable comedies, “Thark.” was presented at the Theatre Royal last night for the first time in Christchurch. Much of the action takes place in a house which is supposed to be haunted, and there are several people who have got themselves into the usual farcical tangles through amorous indiscretions. The author’s rollicking vein of humour and the very efficient work of the cast make “Thark” every bit as amusing as the highly successful “Rookery Nook.” The costumes worn are delightful in every way and are admirably suited to the wearers. In the first act Minnie Rayner as Mrs Trush made her appearance wearing a frock of deep mauve blue crepe de chine, with a deep vqst of cream, and a black fringe forming panels on each side of the skirt. Her hat of the same shade of blue had a feather mount in front, and her costume was finished with a blue tipped feather boa. Later in the scene she changes to a black georgette evening gown with a Vshaped panel in front, and studded in an all-over design with rhinestones. Over her frock she wore a long coat of hydrangea blue brocaded satin, with a collar and cuff of blue ostrich feathers. In the second scene her frock of

black satin has large flower apptiqued motifs with a front panel vest of ivory georgette, and a hat with a bright flower mount in front. Jn the last act she wears a cyclamen velvet robe with long sleeve drapings of georgette in the same shade, banded in velvet over a frock of palest mauve georgette beaded in crystal; and later she changes to a bright bedroom wrap. Beth Mackey as Kitty Stratton makes her first appearance wearing a tailored suit of fawn cloth and a crepe de chine jumper of the same shade, and a small felt hat to tone with a narrow upturned brim. In the second act she wears a cherry crepe de chine jumper suit, the skirt finely pleated and the deep sailor collar and cuffs trimmed with a narrow edging of gold lace. Her last frock is a dainty evening gown of ivory georgette, the skirt tiered and finely pleated and the tightfitting bodice beaded with crystal embroideries. Her last change is to a dressing, wrap of palest blush-pink' satin trimmed with bands of feather trimming in a deeper shade. Jane Comfort, as Lady Benbow, wears a smartly tailored suit of navy blue and a white waistcoat with a. small navy felt bat, with touches of lemon on the crown. Later she changes to a beautiful evening gown of gold tissue swathed to one side and held with a brilliant buckle, the pointed drapings falling ankle-length at one side. An effective finish was a sunray design

done with rhinestones. Tn the second act she wears a suit of pale grevish-blue faconne, the skirt and sleeveless coat of the faconne and the bodice and sleeves of plain georgette. In the last scene her gown of deep orange yellow lame was draped to long points at each side, with an enormous bow of plain satin with long pointed ends at one side.

Helene Simon, as Cherry Buck, wears a tailored coat of black velvet with cuffs, and collar and revors of mink fur, and a small fitting black hat with a brilliant buckle in front. She changes later in the scene to a frock of black georgette over flame, a handsome gold brocaded tissue coat lined with flame, with collar, hem and cuffs of black fur. A of gold tissue and flame finished her toilette. In the last act her suit of pale primrose pyjamas had hems and collar of the material, with graduated spots in black. Willa Lyndberg, as Louise, the maid, wears a black frock and chic cap and apron, and later changes to a pale powder-blue frock with apron and cuffs.