J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, 8 July 1936, Page 2

J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY.

“FRESH FIELDS” TO-MORROW NIGHT. To-morrow night, beginning at 8 o’clock, J. C. Williamson’s brilliant company of comedy and dramatic artists will present at the Regent Theatre, for the first and only time to local playgoers, Ivor Novello’s humorous, delightful and audacious comedy “Fresh Fields.” A large demand for seats is reported. The comedy has been called the best and cleverest play the Eng-lish-speaking stage has known for years. The two talented New Zealand actresses who head the cast —Miss Ethel Morrison and Miss Elaine Hamill—are credited with a perfect interpretation of their respective roles, and their ability has assisted materially to make “Fresh Fields” the most successful production staged by the Williamson management during recent years. Taking yart in a controversy which arose in 1934, Mr. Novello emphasised that “Fresh Fields” was “a comedy of modes and manners created out of the figment of an author’s imagination and written with the one idea to amuse,” ancl urged that it should be accepted in the spirit in which it was created and riot as though “it were some serious effort on the part of the playwright to fleliniate the characteristics of certain nationals.” The author added that he had depicted a cultured English set and had brought into their lives a purely supposititious Australian family with the object of creating amusement, and certainly not with the least intention of causing annoyance to anybody. “My English characters,” Mr. Novello added, “may just as well have been culled from ‘Upper Ten’ in the United States, and my imaginary Australians from ‘Darkest Africa’ for all that it matters, as such types are to be found in every country. I hope, therefore, that my comedy will be received accordingly, and that it will be a case of ‘laugh and the world laughs with you.’ ” That Mr. Novello’s hope was realised is borne out by the fact that “Fresh Fields” ran for over two years in London, for 12 months in Australia and that its Wellington and Auckland seasons had to be extended. Associated with Miss Morrison and Miss Hamill is an organisation of outstanding comedy and dramatic stars, including that sterling actor Harvey Adams, the famous comedienne; Katie Towers, the dashing young Australian artist; Phyllis Baker, the English “juvenile lead;” Arthur Lane, Norman Shepherd, Connie Martyn and Enid Hollins. The ladies wear some beautiful frocks during the performance. The box plans are at W. G. Perry’s.