“THARK” ENJOYED BY FIRST-NIGHTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 7

“THARK” ENJOYED BY FIRST-NIGHTERS.

COMEDY PRESENTED AT THEATRE ROYAL,

“ One long scream ” is about the most fitting phrase to describe the initial production of the comedy “ Thark,” as presented by the J. C. Williamson company at the Theatre Royal last night. From the rise till the fall of the curtain the fun was continuous.

The plot concerns the laying of a supposed ghost in an old house called “Thark.” Mrs Frush and her son have bought the place from Sir Herbert Benbow, as trustee for his niece, Kitty Stratton After they have bought it they discover it is haunted and try to reverse the deal. Ronald Gamble, Kitty’s fiance, bravely offers to solve the ghost mystery, by sleeping in the haunted room, a thing no one had done for years. All sorts of unexpected situations develop, each one more entertaining than the last. Cyril Vernon, as Sir Henry Benbow, a somewhat brusque but thoroughly sporting old baronet, made a complete success, so much so that his slightest remarks drew forth hearty laughter. He was ably supported by Hastings Lynn as the nephew, Ronald Gamble. The pair are very loyal-to each other, and combine in many subterfuges to get each other out of trouble, which, needless to say, they are always in. Lady Benbow, a haughty and domineering personage, was in the capable hands of Miss Jane Comfort, and she got the last ounce out of a part that would have been nothing under the acting of one less accomplished. Beth Mackey as Kitty Stratton (the heiress) and Helene Simon as Cherry Buck, a salesgirl in whom Sir Henry was rather interested, both conveyed their parts with taste and complete understanding of their roles. Leslie Victor, as the butler. Hook, was responsible for a great deal of humour, especially in the last scene. Mrs Frush, the rich but very common lady, could not have been better placed than with Minnie Rayner, whose popularity is now firmly established.

Act 111. provides the climax of the fun. Ronald and Sir Herbert are dis covered in bed together in the haunted room, armed with a rifle and plenty of wine against the supposed ghosts. All sorts of unexpected phases develop, and the fun was uproarious throughout all this scene. The finale comes when the reporter, who had been so anxious to get the story, stops the bullet intended for the ghost, but secures the finest story of the hour for his paper. The settings in all the acts were very good, the right atmosphere being con veyed in each case. Especially was this so in the haunted house, every factor combining to add mystery, permeated with clean comedy. The dressing throughout was in good taste and distinctive and the whole performance, especially from the point of view of comedy, is about the best seen here for a long time. It will be repeated to-night. ~A CUCKOO IN THE NEST.” Few people could read the Bep Travers farce novel, “4 Cuckoo in the Nest ” without laughing for Hours. and it is said that the stage version which is to be produced at Theatre Royal on Monday evening next by the *. C Williamson, Ltd., New English Comedy Company is. even funnier than the book. Witty, racy dialogue and humorous situations, which alternate between pure comedy and uproarious

farce, are the distinguishing feature of ■* A Cuckoo in the Nest,” in which the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New English Comedy -Company are all seen at their very best. The plot is mainly concerned with the false suspicions aroused by a night at an inn. The supposed delinquents are two married people who arc “bushed” as the result ot a _>reak-dcwn. Not being married to one another, they have to face J ’ot of misconstruction. When bedtime comes Mrs Hickett goes upstairs to the room allocated to her, whilst Peter has to scout aroujfd for a reasonably soft place to lay his monocled head. Eventually he has to seek refuge in the bedroom with Mrs Hickett. £?he lying placidly in the bed, bills him curl himself up on the floor, and in looking for a suitable spot he knocks over portion of the furniture which disturbs the sick lady next door. In the midst of the uproar Peter's mother-in-law and her husband burst in and the situations which follow are said to be the funniest ever witnessed on the stage. Only three performances can be staged of “ A Cuckoo in the Nest,” which will conclude the comedy season in Christchurch .