“POSSUM PADDOCK"

Southland Times, Issue 18836, 1 June 1920, Page 6

“POSSUM PADDOCK"

SCCCKSSFUI. OPENING NIGHT. The Kate Howarde Company opened its Invercargill season last night with the com-edy-drama “Possum Paddock,’’ to a good house. The play is a typical Australian one modelled on the lines of Steele Rudd s Selection stories. There is little plot in the store, which hinges round the sale of a paddock belonging to McQuatle, who through force of circumstances, drought being the chief, has to sell to clear his overdraft. An envious neighbour, Dan Martin, has long coveted the paddock and made several overtures to buy before the closure, but McQuade refused to sell, and Martin unsuccessfully attempts to buy the paddock at nuetfon, being frustrated at the last moment when success seemed assured. Throughout the play Cupid runs amok and everyone with the exception of Dad and Mum MeQuade is attacked by the darts from his quiver. The course of the love making provides many incidents, especially that carried on by the McQuade boys and the Martin girls, against which Martin has a decided objection. This reaches an amusing climax in the second act, when the girls are discovered under the tr.blc in the McQuade drawing room. The love course of Nancy McQuade was not so exciting, although it supplied the opportunity for the reprobate (Deering) to try to achieve success by marrying her for her money. Tills scheme provided Miss Howarde who took the part of Mrs Carsley to play the necessary cards, to bring about the downfall of Deering, who had jilted her years before. The straightening out, process was carried out. with ability and before the final curtain all the lovers had reached calm waters. The second act contained many amusing scenes, and the bulk of the comedy in that act was handled by Mr J. Kirby, as Hugh Bracken, and Mr ]■'. Macdonald, as Billy McQuade. The former in his interpretation of the bachelor, who has been smitten late in life, and who tries to get out a proposal, created endless laughter. In that scene ho gave his best showing and carried his part off without too much exaggeration, handling a difficult part with skill. To Mr Fred Macdonald as Billy McQuade fell the most of the comedy part and it was carried well, his impersou-

atinn of a country swain suffering from a severe attack of love being delightful. In '.he second act where he is struggling between ease and pride with a pair of new hoots he made a pood hit, and later in the

scene where he has been informed of the doings of a rival he gives vent to his feelings in no uncertain manner, which simply carries the audience with him. Mr Jack Souter as Bobby McQuade was a good second to Mr Macdonald in the scenes in which they were engaged, and sustained his part well throughout. As Dan Martin Mr Alee McDonald was called upon to act a part that was cynical and earplug, and Mthough he was uniformly good he lacked conviction in some of the situations. Mr Leslie Wood was entrusted with the part of Deering, the man with an eye on the main chance, and who throughout tried to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds with the inevitable result. Mr Phil McGrath acted the part of the new chum without overdoing the affectation, and he was a welcome change from the usual type of new chum who is presented for colonial audiences. The part of Dad McQuade was taken by Mr L. Buderick, who portrayed the typical good-natured, hard-working “eockie,” who has helped to make Australia what she is to-day. In most of his scenes he carried conviction, although at times a little more force would have made a big improvement in his part, but taken as a whole it was a good interpretation of a part that did not give a great amount of scope. Miss Jessie Dale and Miss Alice Walton were entrusted w-ith the delineation of the Martin girls, and they provide much of the comedy, sustaining difficult parts in a delightful manner. The part of Mum McQuade, a warm hearted farmer’s wife upon whom the whole family rely when in trouble was taken by Miss Cora Warner who appeared at home in a part calling for delicate handling. As Nancy McQuade Miss Leslie Adriene was afforded plenty of opportunities which were readily seized. Miss Kate Ilpwarde played the part of fairy godmother to the McQuadcs in their troublous times and her acting throughout was in keeping with the role cast for her. Last but not least in a good cast come “Shad” and Miss Martin taken by Mr A. Harrison and Miss Vivian Langley, and in their love making, although it came late, made every use of their opportunities to lighten the situations. The play will be again staged this evening.