FAMOUS FARCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 20 November 1939, Page 5

FAMOUS FARCE

“CHARLEY'S AUNT” With just a gentle and artistic touch of modern make-up in concession to the passage of time since she shocked and charmed the Victorians with her pristine madcap frolics. “Charley’s Aunt” has demonstrated convincingly in her Dominion tour that “there’s life in the old gal yet.” The Celebrity Comedy Company’s opening performance of the revival season in Auckland was characterised by continuous gusts of laughter, indicating that the farce which has been a joy to several successive generations of theatregoers and acclaimed one of the world's greatest fun-

makers, is still good for an enjoyable night’s fun. Many notable comedians have been associated with the title role in this pioneer of masquerade comedies, but Don Nicol, who leads the present Australian and New Zealand combination, in no way suffers by comparison with past favourites, slates an Auckland paper. That old musical comedy favourite Phil Smith was Nicol’s able collaborator throughout the piece. A quartet of talented young players in leading roles of straight acting required to emphasise the three wore John Fleeting, Lane Patterson, Shirley Ann Richards and Mary Duncan, while in parts of special intricacy the experienced Charles Albert, Norman Barrington and Leal Douglas gave unostentatious strength to the performance. This company will open its Gisborne season next Saturday.

PAUL AND DINY SCHRAMM

Recently many of New Zealand’s music lovers have had the opportunity of hearing the world-famous virtuoso of the piano. Paul Schramm, during his concert tour of the Dominion. Mr. Schramm is now conducting a second lour, but this time in conjunction with his wife, the former Diny Soctcrmeer. Their first Gisborne concert will be given in the City Hall to-morrow. The box plan is at Tattersall and Bayly's.