TRAVERS COMEDY GREAT SUCCESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18581, 2 October 1928, Page 10

TRAVERS COMEDY GREAT SUCCESS.

PATRONS OF THEATRE ENJOY PRODUCTION.

The third of Ben Travers’s delightful light comedies proved another immense success last night at the Theatre Royal. Plot it has practically none, but the attention is held right through, and the fun ripples fast and furious.

Peter Wykeham, a young and devoted husband, and his wife set off to visit some friends up-country. He meets a charming lady friend on the platform who is going to stay at the same place, and in greeting her he misses the train. He rushes back to get his car and gallantly tries to follow his wife, taking the lady too. The car breaks down and the couple find themselves compelled to spend the night in a lonely wayside inn, the landlady of which is a stickler for the proprieties. It is a wet night and there is only one double bedroom. They arrange to take the room, the.lady to sleep in the room, while Peter plans to camp in the stable. He is discovered on the way there by the landlady with her “best blanket." His excuse about covering the toy Pom who had also been relegated to the stable, makes matters worse, so the landlady finally locks all the outward doors, and nothing remains but to stay in the room. Margaret Hickett (Helene Simon) has appropriated the bed, but there is nowhere for Peter. Not a corner of the room is free from draughts, veritable gales. Pansy the dog yelps all night, and Margaret implores Peter to go to the rescue. In doing so he gets soaked to the skin in the drenching rain ,and symptoms of pneumonia appear. He finally has to take off his clothes, and arrayed in a huge bath towel falls asleep across the end of the bed. At 3 a.m. his mother-in-law and father-in-law arrive to find him in this plight. Mrs Bone, played by Nellie Mortyne was admirable. The censorious mother-in-law was responsible for quite a lot of the humour. Major Bone, played by Cyril Vernon, was one of the ’ best parts. He thoroughly appreciates the situation, and tries to help Peter outwit the ladies in his attempts to make good. The village parson (and chief .gossip) arrives and Leslie Victor was as successful in this part as in previous ones. Then the husband of Mrs Hickett appears unexpectedly, and Peter’s wife too.

All the situations are very cleverly and delicately handled. Beth Mackey as Peter’s wife was sweet and winsome, and Jane Comfort made a big success in her portrayal of the inn maid. Basil Radford was quite successful as Hickett, the M.P., and minor parts were taken by Victor Fitzherbert, Willa Lyndberg, Willie Clifton, and Alec Alves.

Helene Simon sustained the leading part well, but her words were spoken a trifle too rapidly and at times some of the humour was lost. Otherwise she proved herself a capable and dainty artist. Minnie Rayner as the very respectable landlady made a decided success. She is a firm favourite with the audience. Hastings Lynn as usual was responsible for a great deal of the bright fun. His entry was marked by applause, and his clean, lively acting helped the success along tremendously. The performance will be repeated tonight and to-morrow.