“WIND AND THE RAIN.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20556, 6 March 1935, Page 4

“WIND AND THE RAIN.”

New Zealander’s Play at Theatre Royal. “ There is no way.” wrote a Sydney critic, “ of judging whether Dr Merton Hodge is a good medico; there is, however, ample evidence that he is an excellent playwright (he penned “ The Wind and the Rain,” which will begin a season of four nights and one matinee at the Theatre Royal to-night), and you could not ask for a better example of modern comedy.” Merton Hodge was born in New Zealand and was educated at King’s College, Auckland. That being so, the playgoers of this Dominion should appreciate the fact that he is now regarded as the best young playwright in England. The piece is a deliciously simple story of a young student’s adventure when he was trying to qualify as a surgeon at Edinburgh University. He had left a Jill in London with whom he had grown up and whom he expected to marry. He met an Anne in Edinburgh, and for five years their love adventures were idyllic. It was Anne who helped him through his college tasks and his troublesome adolescence. He found afterwards that he could not well go on without her. So he explained it all to Jill in London and went back to Anne in Edinburgh. That is all very simple and sentimental, but glowing with satisfaction to the playgoer who likes the feel of honest romance in the theatre. Lest its sugary incidents become too glucous, they are tinged with bitter sweetness at times, at others hilarious comedy relieves a tense situation. The characters move naturally, and there is no suggestion that they exit merely to make room for whatever performers have the next scene. The action is even in tempo, and the dialogue is brilliant, clever, bright and highly amusing. True, the characters are. it is said, finely limned and interpreted perfectly. George Thirlwell is the typical English juvenile, modest, clean and fine, but, anyhow. judging by his characterisation in “ Ten Minute Alibi,” he would be fine m any role. Jocelyn Howarth is said to be delightful in the role of Anne,

and Arundel Nixon. Tommy Jay, Russell Chapman, Nan Taylor, Gwen Munro, Richard Fair and Ronald Roberts were all specially selected for their various roles The staging and lighting effects are features of the production.