SPLENDID ACTING

Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 13

SPLENDID ACTING

REPERTORY PRESENTS ‘GLORIOUS MORNING' TRIUMPH FOR MR AVERT AND MISS JOLLY It will be controversial whether, with the world situation as it is at present, the Dunedin Repertory Society was wise in selecting for its latest offering to the public Norman MacOwan’s ‘ Glorious Morning.’ Unquestionably the play is apropos these troubled days, but the question is: Does one wish to be reminded in one’s entertainment of the ideological clashes which have'contributed so greatly to the current appalling unrest, or would one rather be entertained .by something . lighter, in more direct contrast to the stark realities of the moment? However individual fancies may have run last night, , when the play commenced its season ’ at His Majesty’s Theatre, the fact remains that the skill of the big cast of players- and the inspiring theme of the play gripped the attention of all, so much so that there were times when the voices of the performers penetrated a silence which could almost be felt—a complete audience silence rare indeed, and perhaps the greatest tribute that could be paid. The story, entirely unrelieved by a vestige of humour, is set in the dicta-tor-ridden Republic of Zagnira, in Europe, where the slogan is “The State Is All,” and only a mass mind aiid a mass obedience, can ensure the livelihood' and “happiness” of the peasantry whose fealties have been stripped of all vital meanings, and substituted by harshly-imposed doctrines. After Zagnira has stood up to seven years’ suppression-, Leda_ Veerkind has a vision, imbuing her with a vigorous spiritual power which clashes violently - with the ruthless anti-religious dogmas enforced by the rulers of this regimented totalitarian State. Aided by her grandfather, Anton Veerkind, Leda spreads her gospel, creating an everwidening maelstrom of reaction, until the inevitable happens, and the believers in truth and right are caught. If the end, physically, is assured, so, too, is the end spiritually, and the unrelenting measures taken by General Gurgani, of the Supreme Council, cannot dim the light, and Leda leaves behind newly-risen disciples pledged to keep it burning. Although Mr MacOwan lias selected an entirely mythical republic in which _to set the action ot his tragedy, it will not be hard to decide the country he had in mind. He has not made the mistake of condemning out of hand all the afteripaths of a revolution resulting in ’ iron dictatorship ; he has handled propaganda well, impartially showing the good Kvith the evil, leaving the audience to determine which is the greater. As Anton Veerkind the play proved a personal triumph for Mr E. S. Avent, not seen on the local stage for some , time. With no effort he dominated the scene whenever, he appeared, handling his several inflections of character with a steady confidence. Whether he was silnply the loving father and grandfather, the 70-year-old peasant attemptiag to adapt himself to the new regime, or the zealot, fired by his daughter’s implacable determination to spread the i truth, giving spontaneous utterance to his own inhibited feelings, Mr Avent contributed a compelling, stimulating performance of genuine memory-lasting quality. In its impressive quietness the role !i pf tlm divinely-i Aspired Leda proved almost ' equally as great a triumph for Miss Mary Jolly, whose interpretation was marked by a maturity and depth which stamped her a most facile actress, disdaining factitious artifices. A little uneasiness accompanying her first appearance soon vanished, thereafter nothing of the value of the' lines escaped her, and she con-veyed-,the author’s message beyond the confines of the .play into the hearts and minds of the audience with sincerity a*id a telling effect. Mr Lionel Stephens, as the tyrannous General'Gurgahi, had a part requiring high acting qualities and much attentibn to detail, hut he responded fully to its exacting demands. His speaking voice was a treat to listen to.

Mr Frank Lanyon merits high praise for his impersonation of Professor Hans Skaedia, who, after all, found that the State was not all. Miss Kathleen Falconer was convincing as the young revolutionary enthusiast, Katrina Hoeller, handling her part with the same restraint which characterised the work of nearly every performer. Always dependable, Miss Elsie MTeak made a line character study of Anna Veerkind, while Mr Derek Hancock, completing the ipore intimate circle of the play, was satisfactorily cast as Woden Veer--kind.

. The members of the Burglitz Council—Messrs Cecil Oaten, Larry Hanlon, T. A. Tarrdnt, D. C. Rose, and Leslie Dunbar—contributed interesting supporting cameos, tire biggest moments falling to the first two. Mr Oaten gave a neat performance of a “very nasty piece of work ” in the shape of the ardent revolutionary Leman, while the believer in tolerance and restraint, Rutzstein, afforded Mr Hanlon excellent opportunities. Other parts were taken by Miss Doreen Harvey', Messrs W. MThail, Bruce Quonnell, L. Powell, and Bernard Sullivan, each bestowing his or her meed so that ‘ Glorious Morning ’ becomes among tho more prominent Repertory acting successes. And, as usual with Repertory productions, the stage settings were excellent, effective use being made of the curtains in several sequences. ‘ Glorious Morning,’ produced by Miss Bessie Thomson, will be presented tonight, to-morrow, and Saturday,