“THE SHOW GIRL.”

Shannon News, 25 October 1927, Page 3

“THE SHOW GIRL.”

CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE BY LEVIN AMATEURS. CAST. Arthur Hylton ...... -Kenneth Aitken John Leroy Harold McLeavey James Gravcstock .... John Varnham Dawson David Todd Mrs Gwen Hvlton ....... Babs Lnsor Mrs Gravestock .... Molly .McLeavey Dorothy Medhurst •• Margery Inkpen Beattie • Al ) cc s ™ lth A Dancer Gwendoline iNoaci Kona Nancarrow—"The Show Girl," Una Bull.

Truth is mighty and will prevail, even on the stage. Proof of the adage was contained in the musical comedy, "The Show Girl,"-which the Levin Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society produced in the Dc Luxe Theatre - on Friday night. ' Weather conditions were against a large attendance, but the best of the seating accommodation was well patronised. The play represent- • ed the fruit of. some three months' toil with brain, muscle and voice, and the result was quite up to expectations—a bright and breezy show, which,.seen in the perspective of the morning after, was something worth the seeking. Differing from many amateur med- . iums of expression, in that it was the conception of the producer, Mrs I. M. Allan, the drama was- not ..bound by stereotyped conventions nor hedged about with the limitations of a copyright article. The construction of it reflected spontaneity of humour and a keen sense of social values. In fact there was much about it that was very ■ natural. Intermingled with this were the forced situations which arc inseparable from light drama, and which made distant approaches to the French farce, though quite respectably, of course. A matrimonial comedy of errors formed the groundwork, the victim being the husband, Arthur Hylton, who during the temporary absence of the moon of. his- delight, seeks relief from the inhibitions imposed by his mother-in-lajw, Mrs Gravestock, by wandering abroad after dark in the guise of an Eastern potentate. The escapade must have occurred wher Venus was in an unfavourable aspect for it brings into his home life a fascinating and most inconvenient intruder, Bona Nancarrow, the "Show Girl." ,The expected arrival of his-niece Dor.? othy Medhurst gives Arthur the deadly idea of allowing Bona to impersonate her, so when his young relative doe* come on the scene he is perplexed to know what to do with her, and from that moment complications begin which multiply until -• they threaten tc drive him crazy. Others become en"aneshed. in Hhe distracted husband's schemes, by means of which he hopes to evade the-consequences of. his* first deception. His bachelor friend, Robii: Leroy, has as a father until he is found out, and James Gravestock a human epiphyte, becomes engaged to the Show Girl under the imprcssioi that she is the heiress. Through it al. ma-in-law sustains one shock after another and grows ever more virtuously vindictive until the climax is reached, which is not until the very end'. At in all really nice play-endings, however, everything is straightened out t( the satisfaction of all concerned. With Mr Kenneth Aitken one knew what to count upon, in the light of hit long experience and adaptability —a complete understanding of the purport of the character and a finished presentation of it. He had an exacting duty, for he was on the stage almost con tinuou'sly, and a more centralised pari would be difficult to imagine. Confident delivery, a clear enunciation ant admirable poise marked his rendition throughout. As his foil Mrs Molly McLeavey was capitally cast. Her place was no less difficult to maintain thai, that of the son-in-law, and she gave constant evidence of a goodly fund oi emotion, upon which she drew with striking effect time and again. There was no straining to achieve this; i was a skilful performance of a par that called for a considerable degree, oi insight. In the title role, Miss Un? "" Bull was exceedingly Avell suited, ane" there can be no denying that she evinc ed dramatic talent in the manner of oik . who is endowed with it, as distinc from a player who has acquired il without special qualifications. He. action, elocution and singing were alike pleasing, and this despite the fact thai she had been laid aside for sevcra 1 days previously with a severe cold. Tin niece was impersonated cleverly auc: with becoming modesty by Mrs Margerj Inkpen, who was keenly appreciative of the requirements of a peculiar situ ation, Miss Babs Ensor was also very successful as the wife, Gwen Hylton her interpretation being of a truly convincing order. The brother-in-law, James Gravestock, was played by M; John Varnham, who conveyed just -the right idea of the modern young man about town and carried off the devil-may-care' tomfoolery with great, abandon. He sang in promising style, having a pleasant tenor voice. As the bachelor Leroy, Mr Harold McLeavey had plenty to do and did it with efficiency. The part was one that did not altogether bristle with opportunities, but of those that existed, he took full advantage. As the butler Dawson, Mr David Todd came very close to the professional standard; indeed, it is safe to say that there are paid stage butlers who would' fall short of his performance." Miss Alice Smith had a comparatively small role as the housemaid Beattie, but she enacted it with artistry. One other principal remains to be mentioned, and that was little Gwendoline .. Noad, who came on as a dancer and gaVe some very pretty items, which met with a deservedly popular reception. The work of the ballot was quite charming, and one of the outstanding features of the show. The girls had put.their hearts into the training, and their full ■spirit and enthusiasm entered into the stage presentation. The members were: Misses Amy Walton, Clara Frechtling, Venus Henderson, Rangi Tatana, Lynette Hislop, Edna Itingsbeer. Aa to the chorus, their offering was

cenernllv creditable. The movements /were certainly good, but the singing, although tuneful and mostly in time, was not half loud enough. Tins, it seems was more a misfortune than a fault on the purt of the company, a number of whom have been victims of influenza. It is emly-fair to say that the* volume improved as the play proceeded, until in the final number a fine spirited effect was secured. The concerted pieces were: "Sing in the Morn. iuo- " ".lust Around the Corner,, "The Show Girl," "No Foolin'," "Ain't We Got Fun," "Smile a Little Bit " "Waiting for the Moon," "Bye, Eve Babv," "Jinnnv Boy," "You've Got'to Know How," "Blue Hoosicr Blues," and the finale "The Show Girl." Solos were capably given by .Mrs Al-ce Smith, Misses Una Bull and Gwendolyn Noad, and Mr J. Varnham. Two excellent monologues were contributed by Mr K. Aitken. The chorus consisted of Misses Valerie Hislop, Doris Treseder, Mabel Morris, Lila Claridge, Rita Astridge, Mavis Ingram, Enid Chambers, Kathleen Hesp, Marjorie McCallum, Messrs Harry Barnett, Bert Richards, Claude McLeavey, Henry Bell, Horace Siddells, Douglas Vickers, Oliver Townsend, Teddy Hislop, Norman Vlck.us, Andrew Rockel, Prank Allen. The scenery was the same throughout, representing the reception room of Hylton's home, but it was arranged with simple effectiveness and so as to tliroiv the characters into relief. Much attention had been given to the costuming, in which thoughtful designing and grouping were evident. A very capable orchestra was engaged, comprising the following:—Pianiste, Mrs Les. McDonald; 'cello, Mrs G. France; Ist violin, Miss Williamson; 2nd violin, MrE. Pink; cornet, Mr G. Fox; bass, Mr Allan Prouse. Their accompanying .nusic was sympathetic, and the,overture, entr'actes and interludes were enjoyable features. Mrs McDonald was the musical directress, and the whole play was produced by Mrs I. M. Allan, who has much to be proud of in the result .ich'ieved, .for the society has had several set-backs in the course of its training. In the wardrobe department, Mrs Allan was ably assisted by Mr V. Henderson. The stage manager was Mr J. Logan, who brought useful experience to the position and enabled the staging of the piece to be promptly .'ominenced' and run efficiently to schedule. The lighting effects were»-the £ood work of Messrs Lunn and Henley. " During an interval the patron, Mr r. Hobson, congratulated the society jn its presentation of the play and .hanked the public for their attendance, also expressing the hope that liberal support would be accorded the jhow this (ivening. He mentioned that .nonths of hard training had been necessary to enable the play to be presented lii such an able manner, which ,vas creditable alike to the performers and to their instructress, Mrs Allan. At the conclusion of the play there .vas a popular demonstration, in which many bouquets and boxes of chocolates aad to be passed up to the stage, where .he stage manager handed them to the recipients—Mrs Allan, Mrs McDonald, Miss Bull, Miss Ensor, Miss Tatana, Miss Morris, and Gwendoline Noad, Mr J. Varnliain receiving a mascot, which ;ie undoubtedly earned.