MUNICIPAL THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 18850, 16 June 1920, Page 6

MUNICIPAL THEATRE

ALLAN WILKIE DRAMATIC COMPANY. “THE LUCK OF THE NAVY.” Although it is very frank melodrama, ‘‘The Luck of the Navy” has a heartiness about it that helps to fill the hours with satisfying entertainment. It is not necessary to take its story seriously. There are in life, of course, many unexpected events that are quoted by the believing as proof that melodrama is not the awful rot that some people try to make out, but these untoward happenings do not touch the germ of the matter. The trouble with melodrama is that the characters say such impossible and unnatural things and behave, especially the villainous side of the plot, with such stupidity that the normal man becomes impatient. Happily for melodrama the people who gc to theatres are not normal. One does not mean by such remark that they arc deficient in intelligence, but one does mean that they are in the theatres for the purpose of bring amused and they are as Iready to accept these little odd things in a melodrama ns they are to overlook the crudities of American film dramas. They want to he amused and plays like “Tho Luck of the Navy” provide them with a full quota of comedy, thrill and romance. With the war over it might be thought that a spy play of this kind would not “go down” but there was no doubt about its effect last night when the Allan Wilkie Company presented it at the Municipal Theatre. From the first minute of the piece, when the audience learnt of the bravery of the hero, to the last few seconds when he stood triumphant with his arms about his sweet sweetheart, the large audience gave the production rapt attention and at the last curtain was vociferous in its approval. Patriotism and admiration for the Silent Service may have contributed something to the enthusiasm, hut whatever it was it made the “Luck of the Navy” highly successful. The piece deals with the stirring adventures of a nav'al officer in a house infested by German spies and the manner in which he circumvents them. It is well built, contains all the essentials of a good melodrama and is capably acted, there can be no reason for surprise at the audience’s verdict. Mr Allan Wilkie as the hero looked well and acted with vigour. He carried the burden of the play upon his shoulders and he gave a really meritorious performance. The coterie of German spies naturally offered excellent opportunities for capable players and of these Miss Helen Fergus as Mrs Gordon Peel, Augustus Neville as Sub-Lieutenant Peel, Mr J. Castle Morris as Schaffer, and Miss Hgaio Marsh as Anna made much. The last named in a minor part showed more than a little skill and will be heard of in the future. Miss Frediswyde Hunter-Watts made a charming heroine and Miss Vera St. John was again an attractive “flapper.” Of the other roles, Admiral Maybridge (Mr Edward Landor) and Midshipman Eden were well eustained-