“GOING UP”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 5

“GOING UP”

THli STORY OF THI: PLAY

Following is an outline of the plot of "Going Up" vylueh is to he produced in the Majestic Theatre b.y tile Nelson Amateur Qpei'alic Society:— A hook untitled “Going Up," written by Robert Sti'flel, and dealing with aviation, inis been published. It is the hook of Hie year and creates a record for sales. Street., wlm suffers from nerves, is ordered by his doctor to retire to a quiet spot in the country for a rest cure, lie accordingly goes to a fashion aide hotel, taking with him one Hopkiiisun Brown. At tile hotel, Street’s hook is the topic of conversation, and the indiscreet Brown tells the guests that the incidents in the hqok "Going Up," are Street's own experiences in Hie air, wliereii|inii Street, immediately becomes a hero. The hotel, owned bv Gordon, is thrown open to Street, and distinguished guests from all parts arrive. Street, instead of confessing that lie is not- the aviator, keeps up tlie deception, which lends to somo amusing situations. Among the* guests are a Mr and Mrs Dougins o .')nd their daughter Grace, who is engaged to one dales Gnillnrd, a French living ace, who also visits the hotel, bringing with him two aeroplanes. , Street meets Grace and it is a case 01 love at first sight. In the* meantime, Mr Douglas, who is a chronic gambler, has het Gordon, Die hotel proprietor, that his future son-in-law, Gail lard, can fiv higher ami longer than Street, in spite of all the so-called flights recorded in the hook “Going Up.” A race is therefore' arranged and Street finds himself in a decidedly awkward position. At tin’s stage his companion, Brown, suggests that as the machines will carry two very light people, why not send to one of the aerodromes for some assistance: this they decide to do. Sam Robinson, head mechanic, is sentfrom the aerodrome, the idea- being that Robinson, who knows all about flying, can go up as Street’s passenger and really fly the machine for him. When Robinson arrives, however, his size causes considerable alarm and lie makes it quite clear that lie cannot risk flying as lie is a married man and can take no chances, lie offers to teach Street to fly with an imaginary aeroplane in his room, so, with the assistance of Brown and Brooks, the publisher of “Going Up,” who also wants to help and only makes matters worse, Street is.given his first lesson on flying, and the scene causes considerable amusement. The day of the race arrives and all is excitement. Grace, who has bet her father that- Street will win, promises him that she will marry the winner, and urges Street to fly as he has never flown before. This he promises to do and the race commences. At dark, the Frenchman has landed, but poor Street is still in the air, apparently afraid to land, and, as Robinson says, will probably stay up until he fails down. Nevertheless, he has only to land safely to become the winner. The telephone is kept busy following him up as he passes over the'different places, and eventually he manages to land without breaking his neck, and returns to the hotel in triumph.