“CAPTAIN BANNER.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 3

“CAPTAIN BANNER.”

Repertory Society’s Fine Production. BEST EFFORT YET. One of the chief features of the work of the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society is its consistency. It grows from strength to strength, and during the past two years the standard of work has steadily progressed. Bach play put on has shown some further sign of <«evelopment and the excellence of toe work is now almost taken for granted. On Saturday evening the society attained its highest histrionic heights with a splendid presentation of George R. Preedy’s fine play “Captain Banner.' In every detail the play was thoroughly satisfying and the cast was the best the society can offer from its large active membership—which is saying a great deal. Praise is due firstly for the choice of play. Like novelists, playwrights in this essentially intellectual age nave succumbed to the temptation to attempt subtlety and sparkling dialogue—all commendable, of course; but the art of narrative is in danger of being lost. Consequently, such a play as “Captain Banner” comes as a welcome change after so many problem plots, peopled with vague characters who “yearn for they know not what.” “Captain Banner,” by that clever historian - known variously as George Preedy, Marjorie Bowen, or, actually, Mrs Margaret Long, is a story of intrigue and beauty in distress, swashbuckling gallants of the Danish eighteenth century, love and a dash of sweet romance. The play is full of action and goes on smoothly with never a hint of dullness.

The cast of seven is a strong one. Chief honours are to Dr C. E. Beeby for his masterly interpretation of the vastly unpleasant part of Pastor Oder. His baleful influence pervades the play from curtain to curtain, and Dr Beeby conveys the impression of evil most convincingly. He steps into the role completely and is as suave a murderer as one could wish for. The chief part in the play falls to Professor J. Shelley, whose artistry one has come to expect as a matter of course. His portrayal of the ambitious soldier posted to the command of the desolate fortress of VV'isberg, in what was actually political exile, is powerful. The man who had withstood the test of five years of terrible isolation, burning for the chance to recover his position in the Danish court, yet still clinging to his ideals, is full of interest. A harsh man, apparently without feeling, but he scorns the chance to become the lover of a queen—the play leaves him broken and disillusioned, but finding comfort in the real love of a peasant girl, with whom he had been wont to pass away the lonely hours, until the queen was committed to his charge. Dr Robinson E. Hall, a warm favourite with repertory audiences, is his dignified self as Baron Molde, a courtier, steeped in intrigue, but disguised by the graces and courtliness of his century. The three women in the cast are excellent. Mrs Ha slam (Valerie Tennant) makes an admirable queen. In her capable hands the royal prisoner is a regal though shallow and insincere woman. She shows the course of a twisted mind—the woman sacrificing love for ambition—in a manner that could not be bettered. Mollie Bowler is a sweet peasant girl, steadfast in her love for Captain Banner and with her charming simplicity shocked by the revelations of murder and plots into which she is plunged by circumstance and her association with kings, queens and governments. Mrs Guy Cotterill, another warm favourite, has a comparatively small part, but it is effective. She wears her graceful eighteenth century clothes as if born to them, and is an entirely satisfactory conspirator. Harold Shaw makes only occasional but none the less effective appearances as Sergeant Ericsson. “ Captain Banner ” will be again presented this evening and to-morrow evening. _________________