"SCRAPE O' THE PEN."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 229, 27 September 1929, Page 9

"SCRAPE O' THE PEN."

SCOTS CHARACTER PLAY.

SUCCESSFUL LOCAL STAGING,

The St. Andrew's Society of Auckland demonstrated in an impressive manner last evening one of the chief aims of its existence—to foster a love of fc-eots tradition—when, under its aegis, Graham Moffatt's ever-popular character play, "A Scrape o' the Pen," was produced in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, inaugurating a three-night session. "A Scrape o' the Pen," if not the best of Graham Moffatt's work, is certainly not excelled in its portrayal of national characteristics, cus'tonis, wit and sentiment. The theme of the story centres round the marriage laws of Scotland, the doings of well-known identities of a Highland village, and a prodigal son. The setting is in the boisterous doings of Hogmanay, in 1574, and the portrayal of the varied characters common in that far-off era is highly edifying, and immensely amusing in the light of modern times. Probably the most finished impersonation was that given by Mr. Gordon Spence, who took the part of Peter Dalkeith, a professional mourner. Peter, blighted in love, made up his mind to drown his sorrows. ! Though there was enough water at Miimiehiro, not wishing to do anything rash, he went to Glasgow with the objcct of casting himself and his broken heart to the gurgling waters of the mighty Clyde. When gloomily contemplating his shattered life for the last time an undertaker, with an eye to business, sensed in the funereal soinbreness of the dejected countenance an ideal leader for burial processions, and Peter rose to affluence and prosperity as the highestpaid professional mourner in all Scotland. In the Hogmanay festivities lie fortifies himself for the awful ordeal of witnessing the girl who had broken his heart and been the cause of his attainment of wealth being brought to her home as another man's wife. Peter's part was excellently done by Mr. Spence. Miss Rita W. MacCullan as the blithesome Highland servant had probably the most sustained part to play, and she impersonated the care-free, witty, goodhearted country girl with rare effect. Miss Lilian Lugton made a faultless Jean Lowtlier, or Menzies, and Miss Margaret Howie, as Mrs. Baikie, from South Africa, was splendidly cast. Sir. George G. Spicer, as Georclie Pow, the road-mender and the bridegroom, made the part a living role. Outstanding as typifying national characters of the period were Betty Budge, as Leezie inglis, and Mr. James Swan, as Mattha Inglis. They are an old Scottish couple, parents of the wandering son; and the interpretation of characteristics usually associated with Scottish family life, of days gone by, was certainly an artistic triumph. Mr. A. A. Murray, as Hugh Menzies, Miss Winifred Russell as Beenie Scott, and Mr. J. Shields, as Alec Inglis, were equally successful in their efforts, while little Margaret H. Bruce as Eppie Olipbant Incrlis showed the bright intelligence of the Scottish child. The production, for which Mr. Kenneth Brampton was responsible, will constitute yet another success to the producer, and those associated with him, and should have an uninterrupted run of success.