"THE HOUSEMASTER"

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 157, 29 March 1939, Page 4

"THE HOUSEMASTER"

Smart Dressing In Repertory Play

Into the strictly scholastic atmosphere of Marbledim College for boys, burst a whirlwind group of feminine travellers newly arrived from Paris, who succeeded in disturbing the tiauquil existence of the school and the calm of its peaceful South of England environs.

This was the scene which revealed itself to the audience soon afl er tile curtain rose on the first ae. of the \\ elliugton Repertory Society's latest production, "The Housemaster, last night, in the concert chamber of the Town Hall. The dressing of the women players in this stage version of fan Hay's comedy was colourful and up to the minute. Many of the audience on their way to the Concert Chamber delayed to watch the city lire which was blazing a short distance from the Town Hall. Consequently the play did not start on time, though it was finally presented to a full audience.

Barbara Fane, played by Mrs. W. A. Martin, and her niece, Button barrington, played by .Miss Elspeth Macarthur, wore some chic clothes as the arrivals by the London train. Barbara was in a dull green suit patterned in white with boxed fingertip coat finished with a leopard skin collar and a brimless matching felt hat with white bird mount. Button Farrington wore a peasant striped silk frock in blue, red, yellow and green with square neck and puffed sleeves. They were followed into the study by Rosemary Farrington (Miss Heather Horrax) and Chris Farrington (Miss Marjorio Hutton) who, as befitted keen racing motorists, drove themselves down from town in their car. Each wore a white driving suit comprising tailored shirts and trousers, and tucked bright blue scarves showed at the V neckline. \

When everyone met for prayers in act 1, scene Barbara appeared in a. fitting dinner-gown of burgundy cloque with empire bodice of twisted bands of turquoise and burgundy, and matchbolero lined with turquoise. Rosemary came in wearing a black silver threaded stiffened chiffon evening gown oyer pink taffeta, with low back and slim shoulder-straps. To prayers, Chris wore powder blue georgette over a slip of blue taffeta, tiny cyclamen velvet (lowers outlining the neck of the short bodice and sprinkling the full skirt. In act 3, Barbara changed into an evening dress of black figured chilfon velvet, draped with vivid shoulder scarves of jade, a diamante chain finishing the front neckline. Rosemary wore here a dainty olf the shoulder frock of white organdie over white taffeta and Chris navy silk organdie spotted with white with fitting bodice and puffed sleeves.

Midnight Scene.

At the midnight picnic in the boudoir scene of act 2, Rosemary wears a tailored house coat of heavy white linen flowered in blue over her blue pyjamas, and Chris appears in a gaily dowered house coat sashed in green georgette over white silk pyjamas. Button, not to be outdone, comes in wearing her Aunt Barbara’s lavishly conceived boudoir gown of wine brocade satin with collar and cuffs of rich brown fur. The dignified trained effect of this garment is matched with an absurd boudoir cap of pink ribbons, also belonging to the aunt. To watch the fireworks display Chris changed into a monk styled dress of pale blue figured silk with corselet belt In navy. Button, in the first act, borrowed her brother’s grey’ shorts and jersey and royal blue blazer and cap to make a second entry into the study. Later she wears a little dress of Ila me print with white collar, and to prayers, white frilled organdie sashed in blue.

At. Matron, Mrs. Hileen Teward, wore a businesslike blue smock, with capacious pockets and full veil, and as Ellen, the maid, Miss Ngaire Thomson, wears the conventional black and white uniform and cap.

The stage setting, with its gleaming silver cups, rowing photos and a single oar over the mantelpiece, suggested a school master’s study very easily. Rows of books lined the broad shelves of the book alcove, and deep chairs and a business-like desk added a homely touch to the scene, which was completed with french windows bung with dark blue curtains.

Harbour Lights Guild. The annual meeting of the Harbour Lights Guild will be held at the Missions to Seamen Hall today, and all friends are cordially invited. Mrs. H. St. Barbe Holland will be in the chair, and Archdeacon Bullock will be the speaker. Afternoon tea will be served, and a musical programme has been arranged by Mrs. D. A. Ewen. Rub serew-tops of preserve jars with butter, and they will be unscrewed easily when needed.