"LAUGH THAT OFF"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 144, 20 June 1931, Page 6 (Supplement)

"LAUGH THAT OFF"

SUCCESSFUL MODERN COMEDY. WANGANUI PRODUCTION. “Laugh That Off,” the three-act comedy tu be presented at the Opeia House* on next Monday and Tuesday evenings, as a part of Wanganui’s Welcome Week festivities, is one of '.he most successful plays of recent xears. Written about seven years ago by a brilliant young journalist, Don Mullally, for the American stage, it proved an instantaneous success in New York, and has been for the past five years one of the best drawing cards on the “road.” It was taken to London in 1929, and was equally successful, but the American locale* and slang did not please some critics. An Anglisied version «as made, the locale was moved to London, and the period of the story altered to suit English conditions. The new version caught on, and “Laugh That Off,” instead of “Laff That Off ” is today one of the best stock draws in the provinces, and it was also successfully received in London last year. MesSYs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., secured the play for Australia and New Zealand, with Alan Bunce and Ruth Nugent iu the lead. The company, which proved exceedingly popular, also played “Apple Sauce” and “Pigs,” in addition to ‘ ‘ Laugh That Off.'’ Mr Paul Latham, who was a member of the Bunce-Nugent company for the New Zealand tour saw the possibilities of the play for amateurs, and when approached by the Welcome Week committee suggested ‘ ‘ Laugh That Off. ’ ’ The script and parts were procured from Australia, and the Wanganui Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society selected from their many talented members a particularly strong

cast. Every player has been before the Wanganui audiences iu important roles •—and their capabilities and popularity have been proved. In “Laugh That Off,” each has a part that suits him or her, like the proverbial glove. Miss Evelyn Wright as “Peggy Bryant.” an out-of-work motion-picture actress stranded in London, but who later e“makes good” at Hollywood, is equal, if not even better, according to the producer, to the professional performer. Messrs Pawson, Howell, and Harold Hean, may be described as the “three musketeers” of a London flat. They fight and argue and abuse each other, but at heart are the greatest of pals. Mr Howell as R. E. Morse, known to his friends as “Remorse,” will excel any of his previous successes, great as some of them have been. As a Cock ney vaudeville actor, he is full of “wise cracks”—in fact practically every line he speaks carrys a laugh—and as he opens and finishes the play, and is 11 on” for most of the time, between, plenty of laughter is assured. Mr Hean. as 4 ‘Art Lindau,” makes a splendid foil, and gets his share of the fun-making while Mr J. Pawson, as “Leo Mitchell,” the juvenile lead, is the more serious member of the trio.

Smaller, but hardly less important parts, are in the capable hands of Miss Leigh Swan, as “Emmie,” the slovenly maid-of-all-work, known as the “Mop-up us”; Mrs Geo. Darbyshire as Mrs Connelly, the motherly landlady of the flat, and Paul Latham, as “Mike Connelly,” whose main business in life is to get a free drink. There is an interesting story, plenty af action and amusing situations. Special attention is being given to the staging, of the comedy, and it will be found that the many details required in furnishing a London suburban flat will be complete, and the scenery has been painted by Mr Howell. As the proceeds are to be handed to his Worship the Mayor for the relief of local distress, it is to be hoped that the Opera House will be filled on both Monday and Tuesday nights of next week.