"TEN MINUTE ALIBI"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 8

"TEN MINUTE ALIBI"

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S COMPANY SEASON BEGINS TO-DAY This afternoon at 2 o'clock and this evening at 8 o'clock the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., New London Company of specially selected dramatic and comedy artists will present for the first time to playgoers of Christchurch the world-famous thrilling dramatic sensation "Ten Minute Alibi," which, although it has been running continuously for nearly three years, is still the reigning theatrical attraction in London, and it is at present being performed successfully in no fewer than 23 countries. "Ten Minute Alibi" attracted record audiences in Australia for more than 12 months, and in Auckland and Wellington the Williamson theatres were taxed to their utmost capacity at every performance. Seats in central positions for this evening's gala performance, at 3s, 4s, and ss, may be selected at the D.I.C. until 11.30 and afterwards the plans will be on view right up to 8 o'clock at the Theatre Royal booking office. For the first time patrons of the ordinary stalls may have seats reserved, which will obviate the usual wait at the doors from seven o'clock. Only the three evening performances can be staged of "Ten Minute Alibi," as on Wednesday afternoon and evening next, and the three following nights, and on Saturday afternoon next Merton Hodge's brilliant comedy "The Wind and the Rain" will be produced.

"Ten Minute Alibi" is a first-class entertainment because the author of it works out in perfect detail a hypothetical problem which cannot fail to interest everybody." There is no mystery about "Ten Minute Alibi." Not only is the murder planned in a dream, but it Is enacted before your eyes; while the whole of the third act, which proves an amazing piece of stage-craft in binding the threads of the story together, is devoted to a police investigation at the scene of the murder. For the interpretation of "Ten Minute Alibi," the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has organised a powerful company of London and Australian artists, which is headed by the brilliant young London leading man, George Thirlwell, who has been acclaimed one of the finest actors on the Englishspeaking stage to-day. Miss Jocelyn Howarth, the heroine, the charming and accomplished screen actress, has achieved her best success in "Ten Minute Alibi." Mr Arundel Nixon will appear in the role this talented artist created in England. Mr Frank Bradley is unquestionably the finest char-acter-comedian on the Australian and New Zealand stage to-day, and he is I said to be at times intensely dramatic and at other times highly humorous in the role of Inspector-Detective Pember. Mr Harold B, Meade is a prominent London artist who will make his first appearance here in the part of Sir Miles Standing, and Mr R. L. Atholwood, son of the famous actor, and he himself a very promising young artist, has scored a great success in the role of the sombre, hunted Hunter, Sevilla's man-servant. The talented young actor, Mr Tommy Jay, will reappear here in the character of Detective-Ser-geant Brace, and Mr Richard Fair will appear as the restaurant keeper. The company also includes Nan Taylor, Ronald Roberts, Gwen Munro, Janet Johnson, Frederick Hughes, and other notable artists. The stage setting and the unique lighting effects are outstanding features of the production of "Ten Minute Alibi."