LORD RICHARD IN THE PANTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1932, Page 2

LORD RICHARD IN THE PANTRY

GREETS A PLEASED AUDIENCE. There wasi many a hearty, spontaneous laugh at the Princess Theatre on Thursday night when the senior members of St. Paul’s Amateur Dramatic Club produced the well known modern comedy, “Lord Richard in the Pantry.” The play had a great vogue in the theatrical world, when first

produced, and recently it has been the subject of a talkies, and is now showing in Australia. The players woven S'round the fortunes of Lord Richard who is a. hard upi scion ot a well known family'; As such he has ladies three desirous of his hand and heart, jbarjicularly of the latter, though it. is not functioning true, to nature. The lovers are pourtrayed of Miss Evelyn Lovejoy, Mrs Sylvia Gayford (a widow) and the cook in the pantry where Lord Richard is forced to hide as a butler while seeking to elude the attention of detectives who believe, quite erroneously of course, that the noble lord is one of three crooks who have run a bogus company and captured tile savings of many people including other consorts in the Pantfy retreat.

Tile pla-Jr abounds in many amUsing situations. The opening -scene reveals | Lord Richard enduring a Turkish bath | in his hall of all places, and there is j much amusing by play with a well versed butler.. In the second act, in the Pantry retreat, the staff .with whom Lord Richard is associated, holds high revels, and there is an amusing dinner scene in which all tile parts are well done, and excellent byplay ,is ’.made by the cook in particular. Last scene of all comes the unravelling of Lord Richard’s difficulties,; wherefore Lord Richard and Mrs - Gayford wedding hells are due to ring, and the cook to her chagrin learns all too late what is the noble Lord’s “favourite pudding.” The piece was well staged, and was a credit to the unseen stage manager. All the characters were well dressed, and the properties were faithfully presented. The complete caste was:— Lord Richard Sandi'idge, Mr B. Burpin; Arthur Thompson (His Secretrayj, Mr W. Spaygo; Captain “Tubby” Bannister, Mr W. Chetwynd; Carter (Lord i.-chard's Manservant), Mr G. Gilchrist; Detective Inspector Brown (Scotland Yard), Mr T. Woodburn; Evelyn Lovejoy, Miss E. Robinson; Lady Violet Elliot, .Miss Collett; Cook, Miss Evans; Rose, Miss Robinson; Bryan, Miss Thorpe; Gladys, Miss C.

Lynn; Sylvia Gayford (a Widow), Miss Duff. The various performers are to be congratulated on the entertainment provided, which kept the large audience much amused throughout the evening. A small orchestra supplied a bright overture, , and rendered incidental music between the three acts. The President of the Club, Rev G. Knowles Smith took occasion to tender thanks for the support accorded and to all who assisted with the evening’s success. Being Mr Knowles Smith’s last appearance with the Club, “Auld Lang Syne” was sung, and the curtain fell finally after many streamers and favours had been throw n from the .stage, on the singing of the Natib|f|pj*Anthem.