"Grumpy" Thrills Large Audience

Chronicle (Levin), 5 April 1949, Page 2

"Grumpy" Thrills Large Audience

"Weren't they good" was the universal greeting as the near capacity house djspersed following the presentation last night at the Ciyic Theatre by the Otaki Amateur and Dramatic Society of the four-act comedy "Grumpy." : A triple person ality, "Grumpy," first an aged, infirm, grunipy old man, next a shrewd criminal lawyer galvanised in.o action, an,d fimally a loveable old man, was the star whose pare was a very.full one I indeed. u j It was played to perfection and a good measure of the spontaneous and well-merited applause was undoubted'y for "Grumpy." His genial good-humour at the tensest moments was almost superb. An intriguing story which held the interest of all, centred round a large uncut but very valuable. diamond encrusted to the "fool of the firm" for delivery to distant parts. The diamond goes astray following a mi'dnight attack. A clue is furnibhed by a camelia flower, tie'd with a hair from the head of Susan, the maid. Several interchangBs of camelias complicate the solving1 of the plot, but "Grumpy" finally tracks down the arch-villairi. Ruddock, the valet, constantly in . attendance on "Grumpy," won high praise also for his f orcef ul " ' and effective eviction of his s^ppyfaced vcoukiterpart, Keble, • in the employ of the villain, Mr. Jarvis, while all other parts were very we l done. The cast comprised:— Grumpy, Mr. E. Tooby; his gran'ddaughter, Miss Virginia, Mrs. D. Morris (nee Miss Hilda Manz) ; Ruddock, Mr. C. Sharp; Mr. Jarvis, Mr. J. Stuart; "Grumpy's" grandnephew, Mr. D. Case ; Susan, Miss Edna Brown ; Keble, Mr. L. Housiaux; Dr. Maclaren, Mr. H. Brunton; Mr. Wolfe, Mr. H. O'Brien; Mrs. Mac'aren, Mrs. J. Ballinger; Merridew, Mr. L. Russell; Dawson, Mr. B. Wilson. The raising of the curtain for the first act gave some idea of the vast amount of work done. by members in preparing for- this-, presentation. The scenery, lighting. effects and properties genexally could not fail to impress, and commendation is due to members for the 'transform!ation which was apparent. The Isettings were very well done indeed and won universal approva1. The near capacity house was not ^low to record its appreciation of the performance at the conciusion of each act, and when the final curtain fell renewed applause recailed fthe performers time and agairil ' • '•/'Grumpy" will be presented ;ag3fn tonight, when many who missed the first night will undoubte'dly avail themselves of the opportunicy to attend.