572 PERFORMANCES

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

572 PERFORMANCES

NEW ZEALANDER’S PLAY. ACTOR DOES NOT GET STALE. LONDON, February 21. “The Wind and the Rain,” by the New Zealander, Dr. Merton Hodge, reached its 572nd performance on its transference to the Queen’s Theatre last night. Mackenzie Ward, the young comedian who has made so big a hit in the piece, has missed only three performances during the 15 months’ run at the St. Martin’s, and his role of an Idle but likeable young medical student calls for an air of complete spontaneity. “ It is a strange but perfectly true fact that I still do get a .thrill out of my part,” he said. “ I will confess that in between performances I often get a kind o.f sinking feeling at the thought of having to go through the same thing once again In a few hours’ time; and there have been occasions, just before my entrance, when I have thought: “Oh, dear, have I really to go 'on .the stage and speak those same lines for what seems like the millionth time?’ Aotor Loves His Part. " Yet, once I am on the stage, there seems something magnetic about the role which acts as a galvaniser until the end of the performance. However much during the daytime I may be tempted to look forward to the last time I have to act the part I know quite well in my heart that I love It so much that when the run does end I shall feel quite heartbroken. That, I suppose, Is the magic of the theatre.”

" The Wind and the Rain ” will be staged In Hamilton on April 18 by a Williamson company , with George Thirhvell playing the part taken In London by Mr Ward.