“CURRENT CASH.”

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 317, 5 December 1929, Page 4

“CURRENT CASH.”

CLEVER PERFORMANCE. School Funds Benefit. The Putaruru Dramatic Club made its initial appearance in the Town Hall on Friday evening. Despite the fact that it rained heavily, there was a large audience. The piece chosen for presentation was Mark Melford’s military comedy-drama “ Current Cash,” and it must have recalled to the older members of the audience memories of Bland Holt and similar companies. It was old fashioned melodrama, leavened with plenty of comedy, and judging by the reception the play received this type of production has still the power to charm.

Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe have on previous occasions given evidence that they are not neophytes in the art of acting. Mr. Rolfe first appeared as Captain Mark Milton, and he gave an excellent characterisation of the officer who had been condemned to death (but who in reality escaped). His work in this scene was marked by restraint that added to its effectiveness. Later in the dual roles of the Rev. Lincoln Green and One Eye Mr. Rolfe again was successful, especially in the role of the meek and obliging cleric. Laughter was in abundance at the sayings and doings of the gentleman of the cloth. Mrs. Rolfe, as Milton’s wife (in the prologue), and widow in the succeeding acts, played with the restraint and finish born of experience in the dramatic art.. The comedy part (a rich one) was in the hands of Mr. Dick Rolfe, and that he made an outstanding success of the part of Bowles was gauged by the volume of laughter that greeted his each appearance on the stage. Mr. J. Callaghan, as the treacherous and base Major Challis, made a first-class villain. Misses; Edna and Maida Rolfe, Messrs. F. Whyte and Tom Morton all contributed to the success of the play by giving excellent renditions of their respective parts, and they shared in making the production the success it was. Miss Myra Smith, as Baby Sybil, did not have much to do, but she graced the part with charm. Taken on the whole the play was a

decided success. Crudities there were, but they exist in every amateur show, and in the case of “ Current Cash ”■ they were over-shadowed by the general excellence that prevailed.

Mrs. J. Barnes supplied the incidental music, and Mr. R. T. Smith was stage manager. At the conclusion of the performance Mr. Rolfe thanked the audience for their patronage and approbation, and Mr. R. G. Hutton tendered the thanks of the school (which benefits by the proceeds) to the company for putting the proceeds at the disposal of the school. The audience that left the hall was a satisfied one, and future appearances of the club will be looked forward to.