“THE FARMER’S WIFE.”

Shannon News, 1 April 1926, Page 3

“THE FARMER’S WIFE.”

if a crowded house, and an observation of the remarks passed in approbation of “The Farmer’s Wife” are a true criterion as to' an appreciation of the better class productions it should not be long ere Levin is enjoying a second company’s efforts. Ail that had been said in advance of the performance apd performers was substantiated in Jevery respect at the Municipal Theatre last night, and to those who know the quaintness ot England’s rural dwellers, the fidelity of character and idiom was delightful. Ghurdles Ash (Edwin Brett), the crusty old woman-hater who delivered some , amusing aphorisms, on the frailty of womankind, gave a fine portrayal of the average rustic retainer in the employ of the village squire. Listening to, and looking at Tlxirza Tapper (Susan Richmond) one could not fail to visualise the angular, colourless spinster to be found at most tea-parties in English manor-houses. The antimacassars, stiff, comfortless chairs, unsailable boats in glass cases and the precision with which every article was placed in readiness for Thirza’s guests at a tea-party, was carried through with remarkable fidelity to Victorian custom. Samuel Sw'eetland (Master of Applegarth Farm) a brow-beating, authoritative widower whose angling for a second wife succeeded, after many diverting rebuffs, in his marrying Arainmta Dench (Doris Johnstone) played, his rebuffs) in his marrying Araminta was a Martha among women, and she it was who tried hard, in the initial stages of Sweetland’s wooing, to procure him, , a wife—but without the . effect she sought. Petronell Sweetland Cave) caused .George Sinerdon (Reginald Mewson) a good deal of anxiety as a lover, he being under an entirely erroneous impression that she loved Richard Coaker (Graham Stuart). Eventually, however, the latter made it quite ’ plain that his intentions lay in the direction of Sibley Sweetland (Daphne Bairn). Louisa Windeait (Violet. Ley) who was one of -the women who*could “consider herself fortunate” that Sweetland had asked her to be his wife typified the “practical” woman with a masculine mind. Mary Hearn (Emmeline Orford) a florid lady, whose attire was arranged lik-6 a landscape in concentrated form, was another object of Sweetland’s amorous objectives, but who disillusionment on being told, eventually, that her hat looked like a nightmare. Henry Coaker (■Doubles Vigors) was a quavering, but old yokel whose tottering walk belied his philosophical observations, but who did enjoy immersing sandwiches in this tea. The other ehmacters included Yetty Landau, Millie Engler, Audrey Redding, Pegg Welch, Ronald -Riley, Arthur Greenaway, I • M Julian, Cynthia Burke, Leslie Wilkie, Helen Lester and Doris Lascelles, who gave excellent support to the cast.