"'POSSUM PADDOCK"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 162, 5 April 1920, Page 6

"'POSSUM PADDOCK"

AN AMUSING BUSHPLAY '"Possum Paddock," a comedy drama in four acts, by Kate Howarde. CastAndrew M'Quade Leonard Buderick Billy M'Quade Fred Macdonald Bobby M'Quade Jack Souter Phad Cummings Albert Harrison Hugh Bracken Jacki Kirby Dan Martins .*..... Alex M'Donald Fred Deering Leslie Woods Leonard Allpress : Phil M'Grath Miles Gilliea'v Geo.'Watson James Ogdcn '. ■■ Bert Lynne Elizabeth Martin Vivian Langlcy Mary Ellen Martin Jessie Dale, Anastasia'Martin Alice Walton Maggie M'Quade ,Cora Warner Nancy M'Quade Leslie Adricne Nella- Oarsley •;•■• Kate Howarde It is seldom that we in New Zealand witness a play that is produced ( by and played in by its creator. .. Miss Kato Howarde, who presented " 'Possum Paddock" to a pack audience on Saturday evening, has to be credited with having evolved a play which, if plain and homely in a colonial sense in its style and atmosphere, may surely lay claim to deiiniteness in both, and if laughter, generous and sustained, bo any guide, then " 'Possum Paddock" may bo said to have pleased in Wellington as it has already dono in Australia. In tho neighbouring Commonwealth, tho "Dad and Mum" class of light inconsequent literature has many thousands of adherents, Lot owing altogether to the crude mirth embodied 60 luuch perhaps as to the itctnol types that are being evolved. Miss Howarde has resorted to this form of literature in "'Possum Paddock," which,: if it cannot be accounted a great.play, at all events hits off some aspects of backblocks life and character most aptly, and in doing so makes her audience roar with laughter. The use of the Australian vernacular of the wide spaces-is as free' as the dawn wind that sweeps j over the Bluo Mountains, and the prq-1 blems of Dad as a producer on the land and the worries of alum—tho real pio-. necrs of civilisation in nil its complexities—are as old as our time. As. to the story: Andrew M'Quade, a selector outback, battling with the drought and n bank overdraft, is at odds with Dan Martin, a- more prosperous farmer, who covets /M'Quade's SO-acre ■ block called. •Possum Paddock. Martin knows M'Quade to be in deep water, .Mid makes him an offer to buy the paddock, but as he only offers one-fifth of its value he may be written down as a shark, whilst the elder people are using hard words, a softer variety of language is being used between Martin's two daughters, Mary Ellen and Anastasia, and M'Q.u.ido s toys, Bill and Bob-a dual courtship which causes hilarious fun throughout the play. Hugh Bracken, a bachelor squatter, hearing of M'Quade's trouble, offers to help, bnl the old man's sturdy independence'repels him. Whilst the. two are conferring M'Quade receives word that the bank intends to sell him up in order to realise its overdraft. This is a big blow to tho family, particularly to Nancy M'Quade, tho daughter who has recently returned from the city. Nancy has fallen in love with Fred Deering, a stock salesman with a dub'ous past, and it is he who is called upon to conduct the sale on behalf of the bank. It looks is though 'Possum Paddock would hnvo to go to the persistent Martin, when Bracken arrives from over the range to keep the sale going with his bids. The latter is at the end of his financial resources, and Martin's success seems assured, when iSfella parley, Mum's wcll-tc-do cousin from Sydney arrives on the scene and liein" advised of the situation, dramaticallvmitbids Martin and restores the pad--rock to M'Quade. Thereafter the, feud between tlieso bush Montagues and Capulets seems to evaporate, but tho >oung folk of both houses carry on tho love h «amo riotously to its inevitable conclusion. The arrival of Mrs. Carsloy (who is a widow) stirs up the dramatic interest once more. It appears that Deering, now wooing, the willing Nancy, not only jilted Nella on her wedding day, but stole her savings, and sho is determined to get even. Nancy has made up her mind to elope with "Deering, when Kcl a confronts her, and to prove the perfidy of Deering, gets Nancy-.to consent to taking her place at the trysting hour, whilst Nancy, concealed in an ri'bor, listens; Deering is cajoled by the wily widow, and his hand is entirely exposed. ■ Nancy is subsequently consoled by Leonard Allpress (an English' cadet); the merry widow finds the plump and. jocular ITifli Bracken much to,.her liking j and to square it off Bill and Bob take definite steps with Marv Ellen and Anastasia. Dad gains affluence through unearned increment—a Tailway is run through his property, and n- dance to celebrate the event concludes the. play. _ - . Amongst some very amusing bucolic 'characterisations, two stand out from, tho ruck. These are the "Mum" M'Quade of Miss Cora Warner, a very free, natural, and convincing picture of the larnssed mother of the back-blocks and a very steady help in time of trouble. Miss Warner- looked and spoke "Mum to the life The other performance referred to Wn= that of Mr. Fred Macdonald as Bill M'Quade, a character tru« to type, made to 'livo by a- fine bit of -effortless mummin» Mr. Macdonald speaks 'he vernacular of tho bush like a native, and his comedy sense was the most indunng tickle inihe play. Miss Kate Howarde •icted the role of Nella Carsley ometly, and with' effect. Mr., John Kirby,-in physique the antithesis of the typical "Cornstalk." was stimulating and jolly as Hugh Bracken, and Mr. Leonard Buderick was effective in patches as Dad M'Quade. Miss Jessie Dale acted the bucolic gawk, Mary Ellen, most comically mid Miss Alice Walton was also highly amusing as Anastasia. Mr. J. Sou tar figured loudly as Bob M Qnade, and Mr. Albert Harrison made-. Shad Cumniings, one of those simple, handy fellows of no great wit frequently found on out-baclc stations a real' character. Mr Alec M'Donald stormed louild as bail Martin, nnd.Mfe Vivian LanaJey made a second "Miss Hazy' of Mizabeth Martin Miss Leslie Adricne was sweet nu'd "irlMi ar that rather spoilt darling Nancy M'Chtade, and Mr. Leslie Woods made a smooth, polished rascal of Fred I Tiie" g play :'« fairly well mounted. I Touches of local colour wore introduced' into the first act by the lluttenngs and harsh laughter of. o. pair of kookoo burros (laughing jackass) and roo ikins drviii" on the fence. The Act II interior , was altogether out of keeping with the style of a bush home. An orchestra, under the direction of Miss Violet Harris, provided incidental and interval music of an appropriate order. " 'Possum Paddock" will run until further notice. •