A CHARMING COMEDY

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19566, 3 May 1935, Page 3

A CHARMING COMEDY

“THE WIND & THE RAIN.”

PERFORMANCE IN HAMILTON. Hamilton playgoers have heard much of “ The Wind and the Rain ” that It was written by Dr. Merton Hodge, a New Zealander, and was founded upon his actual experiences as a medical student in Edinburgh; that it has been the outstanding attraction of the last two London seasons, and is -s(ill drawing crowded houses there although it has been running 18 months; and that it is just as successful in’ New York, and has been translated into other languages and produced on the Continent. In view of the interest aroused in the production, it is not surprising that the Theatre Royal was crowded ' last night when a Williamson company staged the play in Hamilton. There is nothing spectacular about "The Wind and the Rain”; its success is due to its utter simplicity and its sincerity. It deals wdth the experiences of half-a-dozen medical student in a Scottish boardinghouse—a simple setting that the audience feels is authentic, the student atmosphere being conveyed very realistically. One of the students, Charles Tritlon, a bit of an idealist, is caught up by life and finds that romance does not always mean happiness; another, Gilbert Raymond, revels in beer and thoughts of women; a third, Paul Duhamel, has evolved a philosophy of life that has mellowed him, and made him a delightful friend; a fourth, John Williams, is a pleasant fellow eager to pass his examinations. Over the establishment presides the amusing and typical landlady, Mrs McFie, and against this background is worked out a very human story. A touch of genius Is shown by the author in the last line of the play, when a new student arrives and is seen sitting down to a dish of the landlady’s "hot-pot”—one circle is complete, another begun.

Was It Correot Interpretation? There will probably be varying opinions regarding Mr George Thirlwell’s Charles Trilton. His reading was quite effective, but one felt it was hardly ihe interpretation desired by the author. He did not arouse the sympathy for the character that was possible, and Instead of the earnest idealist, weak perhaps but sound, always needing the inspiration of a good woman (at first liis mother, then his sweetheart), he suggested at times rather the weakness without the inherent strength. Mr Tommy Jay was very amusing as Gilbert, the student whose thoughts focussed on liquor and girls instead of medical studies, and Mr Arundel Nixon was a convincing Dr. Paul Duhamel. 'Miss Janet Johnson was charmingly sincere as the understanding Anne Hargreaves, and Miss Gwen Munro was equally successful as the modern gild;.. JUI-vLMannering. The landlady, Mrs McFie, talkative and fond of “a glass,” became a very real person as played by 'Miss Nan Taylor. Other roles were well filled by Messrs R. L. Atholwood (John)., Richard Fair Cole), and Ronald Roberts (Peter Morgan).

An Innovation. An innovation that was much appreciated was the musical interlude provided during the intervals by Mrs John Farrell, replacing Ihe usual orchestral selections. Mrs Farrell has a voice of beautiful quality, and’ her operatic numbers and ballads \ were much enjoyed. She was warmly applauded. , At, the conclusion of the play, in response to the audience’s applause, Mr Thirlwell made a short speech of thanks. He said the tour had been very successful, and it had been a great pleasure to present “ The Wind and Ihe Rain ” in the author's own lovely country. That night was a sad one for ihe company, for It was the last night of the tour.