"NIGHT MUST FALL"

Chronicle (Levin), 25 July 1946, Page 4

"NIGHT MUST FALL"

LEVIN PLAYREADERS' FINE PRESENTATION PACKED HALL GREETS PLAYERS The Levin Playreaders deserve congratulation and not a little gratitude for bringing to the public of Levin and the district again this year a welcome change in the usual round of entertainment in their presentation of Emlyn Williams' three-act play, "Night Must Fall," which opened in the college hall last evening to a capacity house. . • The whole production was a credit to them, and the talent displayed made one wonder why more use is not made of it by staging plays at more frequent intervals. Perhaps the greatest compliment paid to the players was by the large audience, whose interest was held throughout. At no tirne did the course of the play seem to lag, or progress become awkwardly. There was a blend of humour, fear, suspense, and at times downright spine-chilling, which kept the attention of the audience from the opening until the final curtain. Some of those present may have seen the film some years ago, and therefore went along with a preconceived notion of the whole thing. To say that they were not disappointed by seeing a secondrate version, would be a fairly accurate guess of their opinion. It would be difficult, and perhaps unfair, to make special mention of any particular player, and to draw attention to one or two minor faults would be unjust in view of the excellent general impression the production created. It should, however, be made known that Alan Hercus was allotted his part as Hubert Laurie ' only two weeks ago. All the players seemed to live their parts; in fact, when they appeared to take their bows at the conclusion it was hard to visualise them as the actors, and not just as Dan, Mrs. Bramson, Olivia, and so on. It must be realised, however, that the whole credit should not go to the players; the producer, property master, stage manager and others who did all the work behind the scenes had more or less "made" the play before it appeared. In spite of the unfortunate weather the hall was filled, and it is hoped that the Playreaders will be rewarded for their efforts by a full house this evening when the final presentation takes place. The cast was as follows: — "The Lord Chief Justice," James Todd; "Mrs. Bramson," Gwen Hesp; "Olivia Grayne," Kathleen Black; "Hubert Laurie," Alan Hercus"; "Nurse Libby," Norris Mulcahy; "Mrs. Terence," Nellie Wilkinson; "Dora Parkoe," Joan Coekrell; "Inspector Belsize," Horace Baumber; "Dan," Peter Nichol. Those responsible for the production were: — Producer, Mr Austin Savell; stage manager, Mr. A. W. Parton; property master, Mr. Albert Parton; prompter, Mrs.A. A. Savell; lighting, Mr. K. M. Alderson; house manager, Mr. H. B. Burdekin; house staff, Messrs. G. H. Sorenson and F. H. B.aumber; programmes, Miss A. Browning and assistants; hostesses, Mesdames J. H. N. Black and James Todd; pianiste, Miss Jean Davie. During the interval between the second and third act, the presiden* (Mr. G. H. Sorenson) thanked the public for attending in such large numbers and intimated that the entire proceeds of the opening night were being donated to the Levin R.S.A. memorial hall appeal.