“TURNED UP”

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1932, Page 3

“TURNED UP”

■ A GREAT SUCCESS. A SPLENDID PRESENTATION. The Princess Theatre held a large and enthusiastic audience last evening .when bt. Pam’s Amateur Dramatic Club gave a highly successful presentation of the amusing comedy “Turned Up.” From the rise of the curtain in the first act to the final scene the Company were very successful and the delighted audience were in one long laugh '.or two hours, the humour of the situations being brought olit with distinct

success. The Happiness Boys Ort-hes-tra supplied the overtures in good style. At the close op'the preduhtion Rev. Hailwood on behalf "ofC'St. “Paul\s Dramatic Society OxpYesMl [1 -Ihan ldj ; ' fOr the very generous reception given the performers, and as one of the audience also thanked the Company for thenvery excellent production that had given the audience so much pleasure. Their thanks were due to Mr H. M. Clmlson who had put in much hard work as producer, and also to Mr R. Lynn vdiose good work as stage manager, they all appreciated and who was responsible for the excellent stage setting. He also thanked Mr C. Williams and Mr Goodfellow, and the other members of the orchestra for their excellent assistance. The story of the play is as follows:

The action takes place in Richmond Villa, Richmond Ferry, where George Medway is anxiously .awaiting the return of his mother (the widow of a sea captain) who has been holidaying at Margate, a well-known seaside resort. Upon the satisfactory conduct- of his mother and himself depends, his marriage to Ada Balt'c, the daughter of an autocratic General, who looks with suspicion on George, as he entertains more ambitious plans for his daughter’s future Before his mother returns, a stranger turns up and while endeavouring to exercise certain parental authority ,is promptly ejected from the house by Nod Steddam, a barrister, and is thrown into the river. When Mrs Medway eventually arrives, after a fruitless search by Bina, she throws a. bombshell by announcing that diving her holidnv she has married an undertaker, who had heard that she lied benefited from her first husband’s life policy, and who, it transpires, was the stranger who was thrown into the water. • On hearing this, Mrs Medway faints, the General becomes more suspicious than j ever and George is at his wits end to readjust- matters, when Ca-rraway Bones, the undertaker whom Mrs Medway believes to have been drowned in the river turns up and a happy re- j conciliation between, the newly married pair brings the first Act to a close. Jn the second act, matters become much more complicated bv the turning

up of Mrs Medway’s first husband, who was supposed.to .have been with ell hands in the wreck of-his ship. . .This, together with the fact that he has-mar-ried a. negress while not quite “compos mentis” adds to the consternation and complications of the situation at the same time blasting George Medway’s hones; as this sequence cf events is viewed by the General as an outrage. The General; under a misapprehension that his daughter’s suitor is the man who lias married the negress denounces George as an outrageous monster. Eventually the clouds of suspicion and misunderstanding are dispel’ed by the warm rays of explanation, but net oefore George has suffered censiderab'e mental anguish. The incorrigible Bones, who marries or buries without compunction, according to the remuneration, finds himself compensated for the loss of a- wealthy widow by an unexpected although modified windfall. A general reconciliation brings ',\ + o a close this comedy which is brimful of fun and screamingly humorous situations. The main work of the production fe'l on Mr F. Johnstone as George Medway, and he was very successful in a difficult role, getting through a big effort in capital, style. Mr G. Gilchrist as Cnrrnway Bones, made much mirth and he was distinctly good as the undertaker

much of the humor being presented in bis part. Mr Gr. Kennedy was a capable General, looking after the interests of bis daughter, Miss L. Kennedy, while Mr B. Bulpin as the drowned Captain, Sir W. Chetwynd as Nod Steddam ; assisted with success in the course of the production. Miss Jl. Evans, 'as i Mrs Panned, gave a spirited rendi- | tion of the housekeeper looking for trouble. Miss C. Wylie as Mrs Medway • Miss E. Rcbinson as Sabina and Miss M. Robinson as Cleopatra, assisted in capable manner in carrying out the many i amusing incidents of a most attractive production. Altogether the principals excelled themselves and the Company deserve every credit for a very fine performance, that g<vve every satisfaction and nleasure to the large and well satisfied audience.