"CHARLEY'S AUNT"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 94, 29 November 1939, Page 4

"CHARLEY'S AUNT"

SPIRITED REVIVAL A ' BRIGHT COMEDY COMPANY To-morrow night the people of Whakatane will have the opportunity of seeing the Celebrity Com-f edy Company's presentation of that ever-green farce "Charley's Aunt" when it will be staged at the Grand Theatre. A spirited production of this play will be given by an outstanding cast. *

Many notable comedians have been associated with the title role in this pioneer of masquerade comedies, but Don Nicol, who leads the presentAustralian and New Zealand com-* > bination, in no way suffers by comparison with past favourites. He has, of course, his own following of admirers from previous performances, but the masquerade character acting required of him as 'Babs* and "Charley's Aunt" in this. farce is far beyond the funny business mands of his former appearances. He rises admirably to the occasion of keeping the character portrayal convincing, while at the same time losing no opportunity for hitting up the farcical note. That old musical comedy favourite Phil Smith is Nicol's able collaborator and fellow farceur throughout the piece. A I quartet of talented young players in K [leading roles of straight acting required to emphasise the farce are John Fleeting, Lane Patterson, Shir" ley Ann Richards and Mary Duncan, while in parts of special intricacy, the experienced Charles Albert, Norman Barrington and Leal Douglas give unostentatious strength to the performance. All these members of the cast, as well as Maisie Wallacc, are favourites whose talent has been j recognised in other roles, and theyT give a spirited production.