“LAUGH THAT OFF"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 146, 23 June 1931, Page 8

“LAUGH THAT OFF"

TRIUMPH FOR AMATEURS THREE-ACT COMEDY - SUCCESS (By “Scenario”) “Laugh That Off,” a comedy in three acts, by Don Mullally. The cast: — R. E. Alorsc (known as “Remorse”) Air Robert Howell Art Lindau Air Harold Hean Airs Connelly Airs G. Darbyshire Emmie (The “Afopupis”) Aliss Leigh Swan Leo Alitchell Air James ’‘awson Foggy Bryant ... . Aliss Evelyn Wright Alike Connelly Air Paul Latham Those who do not see Laugh That Off,” tho three act, full-of-action comedy, having its last ight at the Opera House to-night, will be missing ono of the best entertainments in Wanganui of the year. Right from the rise of tho curtain there is interest and a bubble of mirth that makes the whole go with a swing th: J is a distinct compliment to both acting of the best and good production. All in tho cast have been before rhe Wanganui public before, and it needs no saying that they act in a mailer that places the play on a particularly high standard for amateurs. Seeing the first night last evening was to believe that the rehearsals had been spread over a long period, but considering the short lime with which the members of the cast were faced, the whole is a tribute to hard work and understanding.

The story is simple and the number on the stage just enough to allow them full scope. With the rise of the curtain there is a London flat. Enjoying life there are three young men. They have decided that they shall stay together through life in that they shall share in success. If one is more fortunate than tho o ’ rs, ho shall \

help the others. Then one of the three brings home a girl who is “up against it.” She turns out to be a motion picture actress out of work, and is admitted to tho fraternity. That is tho first act.

With tho second scene comes tho war. Two of tho men leave. The chance that the girl h.s waited and prayed for come. - . She is to decide at once between the love for a man and tho chance of a grea career.

But there is humour before the two leave for France. Each had at first looked with a perhaps unfriendly eye on the action of tho third in bringing the girl in off the street. Her charms had later endeared her to them, so it is before they lenvo that each speaks to her, toping that she might caro for them as they earn for her. Tho wish of neither is fulfilled, but they go with the thought, told them by the third, that she loves somebody. Each has a desire to think that he is the “somebody.”

Before tho curtain falls, tho girl takes all their savings, leaving but a note in their stead. The blow to each was great; not so much the loss of the money, but the fact that sho had left them without asking, and had taken tho money without their leave. It was a breach of faith.

Tho third scene is at Christmas in the same flat. Ono of the young soldiers has come homo wound I. The other is homo ou leave. Tho thre are together again, with their landlady preparing to celebrate Christmas. There are several happy scenes, but to say too much of tho happiest of all would spoil a fine entertainment for to-night’s patrons. Although all are cast in characters that arc to their liking, and although they all carry off their parts in a very ficn way, perhaps tho best of the cast is Air Robert Howell. He is R. E. Alorsc, a Cockney vaudeville actor, whose sayings make one look for the next because it means a laugh. He is self-opinionated, sure, and although his character lacks the finesse of the others, it is through that, that they are foils to his witticisms.

Light-hearted “Art Lindau” is played with understanding by Mr Harold Hean. Ho is used continually by the Cockney for his drolleries, and takes his part in a manner that does him credit.

The housekeeper, always watching her n’er-do-well husband, who has one supreme object in life, that of securing a free drink, is played by Airs G. Darbyshire. Airs Darbyshire has a part that seems made for her; she is convincing and altogether a success. In tho house is Emmie (Aliss Leigh Swan), a girl who is not sent to school because she cannot wash dishes without breaking them—so what would be the good of school for her? Emmie later blooms out into a pretty girl, who no longer makes he appalling mistakes in grammar, and who is able to find her love for Art Lindau returned. It is as the illiterate girl that Aliss Swan makes her mark, her acting in that stage of tho piece being excellent. In the later stages of the play she is not called upon to so great an extent to act a part.

Tho third of the three friends is Leo Alitchell, that part being taken by Air James Pawson. Ho is serious, and tho more thoughtful of the trio. It is he who brings in tho girl off the street; it is ho who takes the girl into tho friendship of tho others. Alr Pawson is suited to his part and his performance is of the best.

The centre of interest for the three is Peggy Bryant, tho out-of-work motion picture actress, who later makes good. Aliss Evelyn Wright has the part and imparts brightness and life to the play. She is the friend of all, the fourth in tho comradeship, and is called upon for some serious acting in which sho has a chance to display her undoubted ability. Mike Connelly is the least seen of tho cast, but ho is a perfect character. Ho is sixty years of age, always after a free drink, and thoroughly frightened of Airs Connelly. Air Paul Latham makes the character live am! breathe. Although it may seem that, each is praised enough, that praise is due for the excellent performance they give. Each has a part that is eminently suitable, and each takes that part in a way that would do any amateur credit—even with a long period of rehearsal. Although tho attendance last night was fair, it would only do the show justice if the Opera. House were [>acked to-night. Tho play is good. The cause, the Mayor’s relief fund, is good. Tho acting is excellent. Those who miss tonight’s porforinanco will have missed a play Hint they should give up many other entertainments tf see.