R.S.A. LITTLE THEATRE PROVIDES BRIGHT PROGRAMME

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1950, Page 2

R.S.A. LITTLE THEATRE PROVIDES BRIGHT PROGRAMME

(By H.C.J.) A Little Bit of All Sorts is the principle on which the Little Theatre’s programme is constructed for its current two-night run at the Repertory Theatre. Two short plays, each of which has merit, provide the major conten’ts. Between them is a musical programme which is true to the aforesaid princple of variety. Pamela Barnett, wjio sang two songs, has a rich soprano voice which merits further training. She has a song sense and makes an intelligent approach to her task. Barry Anderson, a very young pianist, plays Chopin with enjoyment to himself and with appteci-, ation of what he is at. Stan Cox and George Gilroy provided an unusual number, a cornet duet with piano accompaniment. This is an interesting innovation which was followed with interest by the audisneo. Mr R. W. Stewart is a practiced baritone with a fully developed voice for ballad I singing. The first play, a thriller, based on the principle of suspense while thin in the plot and depending upon an easily 'to be seen denouement, put a tax upon Ihe cast because the tension was unrelieved by the duologue, the one act making relief almost Impossible because it would detract from the climax. The cast, however, remains individual, each member having a fixed type in her mind. The mysterious Mr Hunter does not appear on the stage, although the audience is soon aware that he is Watching his own psychological experimen't. This play is by Stuart Ready and is produced bv Edith G'lbert. The second play was pure comedy, of number of people marooned on a Pacific island for 20 years, during which time even Eton has become coeducational, so the social revolution must be complete. How each of the four characters reacts to the arrival of a stranger on the way to New Zealand during a school vacation is the meat of the play. It is all good fun, with some rollick 1 ng situations. The play is written by Geoffrey Tease and the producer is Charles Stewart. The evening’s entertainment was a bright success. f