REPERTORY SOCIETY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 2 July 1937, Page 2

REPERTORY SOCIETY

READING OF “SHEPPEY.” Special arrangements had been made tor the Em pi re Hall to be heated last evening when the Manawatu Repertory Society presented for members and a large number of friends a rehearsed reading of Somerset Maugham’s most interesting and unusual play, “Sheppey.” There was a cast of 15, a number of whom were making their initial performance, and the audience’s interest was held from the moment the curtain rose to disclose a most realistic barber’s saloon where Sheppey worked to the final mqst dramatic curtain. By these rehearsed readings the Repertory Society is bringing to its members a groat variety of plays, thus giving them an opportunity to see a plav which might otherwise never be produced here—as it is a well-known fact that so many plays which hold interest for various reasons would not he a practicable choice for a staged production. The society’s well-balanced programme for the year is paving for such forethought as is evidenced bv the ever increasing membership, which is noiv nes’lv 350.

The producer was Mr M. H. Oram cud the assistant producer, Mr A. Coles. The cast comprised : Sheppey (chief assistant in Bradley’s Hairdressing Saloon Jermyn Street, London), Mr J. G. Driver; Mr Bradley (Proprietor), Mr B. J. O’Shea; Albert (junior assistant). Dir Gordon Oates; DTr Bolton (a frequent patron of the establishment). Dir P. Flood: A Customer, Dr. Dolhv : Another Customer. Dir J. S. Hornblow: A Reporter, Dfr A. A. Fowlds: Ernie (a voting man w : th idea= and ideals —affianced fo Florrie Miller). Dtr R. Stacev ; Dr. Jervis (the family doctor with some pronounced v'ews on the sanity or otherwise of the human race). Dfr C. N. Rabone: Cooper (a petty thief with possibilities). Dfr Von Stunner: Mrs Dliller (w :r e end helpmeet of Sheppev), DTrs A. DTortlmid; Florrie Dliller (daughter of ftlmnpev and very ranch in love with Ernie) DFiss Sliona Burrows; Dfiss Grange (a manicurist in Bradleys). Dfiss N. Said : Dliss James (another assistant in Bradleys), Dfiss J Ping; Bessie Legros, Dliss B. Butterfield.

After the performance, f lie president (Dfr DL H. O’-am). on behalf of the society, took the opportunitv of making a presen+ation to Dfr J. D\ ■ G. Davidson. who has l>een the mostable nroducer of the socety for the last three staged productions, the undoubted £, " r, cess 0 f -'lnch has proved his capability in this direction. Mr Oram made reference to the high esteem in which the societv holds DTr Davidson, and deeply regretted that his pending departure for Wellington would 10b the society of h’« ~vn'unhle assistance in the future. DTr Dav’dson was then presen*"d with a chiming deck suitably inscribed. Dfr David=on. in renlv. .fhsnked the society for its expressions of appreciation. mentioning that his jgreat inforest in drama generally .had made the work a great pleasure. Dfr and Dfrs Davidson were then accorded musical honours. Dfr Oram advised main'ers that, owin" to the unfortunate indisposition of Miss Hancock who is to produce “The Sir n inn Hour.’’ bv Keith Winter (which was to have been staged op Julv 15. 16 and 17). the date has h"en changed to August 19, 20,' and 21. ■'"■- " Y