"RUNAWAY GIRL MEMORIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 9

"RUNAWAY GIRL MEMORIES

Wanganui Players In The Original Presentation Lionel Moncktons and Ivan Cai'yll’s sparkling play, “A Runaway Girl, lias been a happy choice by the Wanganui Musical and Dramatic Society if only for the reason that it has a plot, humour and, above all, catchy tunes. It was played by the society in 1914 and its revival now is in emphasis of the fact that the public responds well to many of the earlier successes. Just as "Chu Chin Chow,” "Rose Marie,” “Going Up,” “Lilac Time,’ “Maid of the Mountains," “Floradora" and the “Belle of New York' have been revived, by both professional and amateur casts, and have caught the popular imagination, so, too, have plays like “A Runaway Girl,’ “Our Miss Gibbs,” “A Country Girl,” “The Vagabond King,” “Sally” and “Good Night Vienna.” When “A Runaway Girl' was last produced in Wanganui, the part o£ the heroine, “Winifred Gray,” was played by Mrs. W. A. Armour, and Allan Hogg was "Guy Stanley," the hero. This time the society has cast Shirley Smith as “Winifred Gray” and Fred Phillips as “Gay.” “Lord Coodle” was played by George Clapham in 1914. This year Jim Broad has bean given the part, and his portrayal of the antics of a not overbrainy English Lord have enlivened all in the rehearsal room COINCIDENCE It is a coincidence only, yet one worthy of remark, that the part of “Brother Taramind” has had appeal to the legal fraternity in Wanganui, 'lom Slipper played the part on the last occasion, and this time it has been entrusted to Dick Tizard, who is fully at home in a part which gives scope for his ability as a vocalist and a humourist of no mean order. Another coincidence, if that it can be called, is that Jim Broad’s father-m-law, A. B. Collins, played the part of “Creel” (an entomologist) this time portrayed by Lionel Gillman. “Creel" and “Lord Coodle ’ play opposite each other quite a bit in the play. Playing apposite Jim Broad, as “Lady Coodle’ is Beverley Jacqbsen. She finds plenty of scope for her cutting high society lines. In the former production Mrs. Lundius was cast as "Lady Coodle.” One of the amusing characters in “A Runaway Girl” is “Caritienita,” listed as the member of a minstrel troupe, whose mission in life is largely one of chasing after "Brother Tamarind” (Dick Tizard). In this year’s production Martha Sedgwick nas been cast in the part, which formerly was played by Toxward Young.

Something more than a coincidence is the fact that Martha Sedgwick played a part as “Angela” in the 1914 production, that of a young convent girl. Her part on this occasion is that of a much more mature and knowing character. MEMORIES OF “MY KINGDOM.” When last the society produced the play Noixnan Tyler was cast as ■Leonollo,” the leader of the musician troup. Wanganui can still vividly remember Norman singing that number, “My Kingdom.” Athol Peachey has the part on this occasion. Herbert Berrett was the 1914 “Flipper,” a role which on this occasion has fallen to Jimmie Mack, whose life, first as a jockey and then as a courier, is of-great amusement to all in the cast. “Dorothy Stanley” was played last time by Ina McDonald. This time the part of “Guy's” sister is in the hands of Ngaire Holland, and she makes a very charming picture as an English society girl. In the part of “Mrs. Creel,” a lady who is “peeved” because her husband thinks more of butterflies, bugs and worms than he does of her, the society has cast Olive Bracks. Mrs. G. McDonald played the part in 1914. One of the amusing parts in the play, and one in which the society has made something of a discovery on this occasion, is that of “Alice” (“Lady Goodie’s" maid). It is in the hands of Fayette Rountree, and her laying with “Flipper” (Jimmie Mack) provides much of the humour of the piece. She is the foil, as it were, for “Flipper’s ’ indiscretions, misunderstandings and tight corners. On the last occasion Wanganui saw “A Runaway Girl” Lulu Foster had the part of “Alice.” TANGO, THEN, WAS DARING. In 1914 the tango was becoming a new and daring dance, and Ina McDonald and I. Mack appeared in a tango duo which was one of the features of the play. Miss Alice and Miss S. Wood had parts last time. In 1914 the play was under the sole direction of Mr. F. C. Allprcss, a task which has fallen on this occasion to Alexia Rankin. Mr. Lance Craig was musical director last time, this year it is Mr. E. O. Schnack. Years ago the society was also greatly helped by Mr. A. Wilde, of Napier, in the presentation of “A Runaway Girl.”