REPERTORY THEATRE SOCIETY’S PRODUCTION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 146, 22 June 1931, Page 3

REPERTORY THEATRE SOCIETY’S PRODUCTION.

Unusual difficulties have been faced by tine Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society in its latest production “Melloney Holtspur,” which opened at the Radiant Hall on Saturday evening, and, •when the peculiar demands of the play are considered, it must be said that the society has achieved something of a triumph. A blending of the real and the supernational obviously presents many obstacles and these have been mainly overcome through skilful production on the part of Miss Kiore King and sympathetic treatment by a well-balanced cast.

Although the emotional tenseness of this particular one of John Masefield’s plays is full of traps for the amateur, notably in the temptation to over-act and strain for effect, the repertory players have steered clear of the more obvious pitfalls. Xo part was over-done, although the avoiding of this particular fault has led to a slight tendency to colourless interpretations in one or two cases.

It may be doubted whether Masefield intended “Melloney Holtspur” to be produced. The play is an excellent piece of Imaginative writing but, without the most skilful interpretation, could easily develop into bathos and even something of the ludicrous. This is a charge, however, that could not be laid at tho door of the Repertory Society. The play deals with the influence of the spirits of the dtead upon the living. Memories live on and the sins of the fathers are shown to be visited upon the children. The spirits are given the power to influence the living and old wrongs are, in this manner, lighted. As the chief among the spiritual presences, Miss Valerie Tenncnt (Melloney Holtspur) and Mr W. B. Harris (Laur'erice Copshrews) fill the most difficult roles in the cast with distinction. Mis 3 Tennent has charm, dignity, and a wellmodulated voice. Her interpretation of an emotional and agonised spirit was admirable. Mr Harris gave a convincing performance. His knowledge of the value of restraint helped him greatly in the final act and he shared the honours with Miss Tennent. Miss D. Gill (Kezia Springfield) did splendid work as the aged servant of the Holtspur family. She was, perhaps, a little stiff at times, but her narration of the sins of Laurence Copshrews was well done and a worthy introduction to the play. Mrs B. Seth-Smith (Lady Mcnto) was dignified but spiritless. Her acting, although confident, lacked life. Mr G. Norton Francis (Bunny Mento) carried the part of a young man in love with easy; confidence, but was unconvincing in scenes with Miss F. Cuming-Butler, as Lenda Copshrews. Miss Cuming-Butler handled her part with skill and gave a particularly fine interpretation of an emotional storm in the final act. As the Jones children, Misses Agatha IJpham, Eunice Fowler, Marjorie Francis and Graham Clothier brought a happy confidence and spontaneity to tire wistful story. Miss Francis, as Susan, fitted her part adm*rably. Other members of the cast were Misses A. Searell, Celia Twyneham, Olive Booth and Mrs C. E. Beeby. Mr Harold Shaw was stage manager and his was also the voice of Sir Tirrold Holtspur. Although one or two cues were missed and the prompter was called on more than onefe, the play was, on the whole, happily free from the blemishes that distinguish many amateur first nights.