“MR. PIM PASSES BY”

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 23, 22 October 1942, Page 8

“MR. PIM PASSES BY”

A. A. Milne’s Comedy Revived “Mr. Pirn Passes By,” a 'comedy in three acts by A. ,A. Milne. Cast of characters: — George Marden Vivian Rhind Olivia (his wife) .... .Marin Brouke Dinah (his ward) Joy Allan Lady Marden-(his aunt) Mrs. Hughes Steele Brian Strange .... Bruce Mason ' Caraway I’iiii Lees Builot Anne Mrs. M. Newman “Mr. Pim Passes By,” revived by the Wellington Repertory Society at the Wellington Technical College assembly hall last night, is one of several delightful comedies from the pen of Mr. A. A. Milne, formerly assistant editor ot “Punch,” “Mr. Pim” is by no means new to Wellington playgoers. It was happily introduced to this country over 20 years ago by the late Marie Tempest (with Ashton Jarry as Pim), and in 1024 was revived by . Mr. Dion Boucicault (for whom it was originally written > and his wife, Irene Vanbtirgh, - with signal success. With such artists to point the .Milne whimsy in the memory it* was a somewhat courageous experiment to attempt to follow in their footsteps, yet, at the same time, not unworthy of commendation, inasmuch as a. new genera.tion has emerged since the Boucicanlts were here who knows not "Mr. Pim.” It was good once more to make acquaintance with dear old Mr. Pim, of •the elusive memory, whose many lapses play the very deuce with the' Marden family. While the performance as a whole was scarcely up to the society’s very best form, chiefly on account of the reliance placed ou the prompter, the delicious humour of Mr. Milne was nicely conveyed by several of the characters. Pivotal, of course is that of Mr. Pim, whose frailty was cleverly sique as well as memory was cleverly simulated by Mr. Lees Bullot. His tonal values’ and air of vacuity were also faithful to the character. Mr. Vivian Rhind gave a sound performance as George Marden, making him the typical bluff and rather arrogant, yet lovable, country gentleman. Mrs. Maria Bronke’s foreign inflections and accent hardly made her Olivia .Marden tine typical English woman she is meant to be, though her sense of the comedy of the situation was lively enough. Miss Joy Allan was exuberantly vivacious as Dinah (Marden’s ward), while Mr. Bruce Mason as Brian Strange was suitably ardent as Dinah’s fiance. Mrs. Hughes Steele added dignity to the brusqueness of Ladj- Julia Marden. The brilliantlylighted morning room of the Mardens’ country home, a Tudor room with tasteful pictures and furniture, provided a bright setting for the comedy, which was produced by Mr. W. S. Wauchop. “Mr. Pim Passes By” will be played every evening this week.