“TOAD OF TOAD HALL”

Southland Times, Issue 24227, 10 September 1940, Page 11

“TOAD OF TOAD HALL”

SECOND PRESENTATION LITTLE SOUTHLANDERS’ SPLENDID ACTING

Another night of colourful entertainment was provided by the Little Southlanders, contributors to the Children’s Page of The Southland Times, in their second presentation of “Toad of Toad Hall” in the Civic Theatre last night The acting of the juvenile performers was excellent and the spirit of the play was maintained to the last of the four acts.

The portrayal of the Toad, by Raynor Huffadine, was outstanding in every detail and her clever acting was appreciated by the audience. She showed a fine appreciation of her part and her finished acting, particularly in “the underground passage” left little to be desired.-

The Mole (Ron Stewart) was one of the favourites of the evening and his breezy attitude and comical portrayal provoked much amusement. This youthful performer, however, showed most natural aptitude for his part when in the course of the play he was required to eat a meal, a task to which he, evidently, needed no second prompting. Eula Gillespie as the Water Rat distinguished herself. Her speech was clear and direct, and she also showed a good understanding of her part. The Nurse (Terry Bradshaw), Mr Badger (Esme Kilpatrick) and the Chief Weasel, Stoat and Ferret also combined well to complete the sense of the play. The courtroom scene was, perhaps, the most impressive, although each act provided fresh opportunities which were fully grasped by the enthusiastic children. Richard Goodson as the judge, showed dignity to such a degree that his performance may well have been transferred, without loss of prestige, to actual life. The Jury, with Mr Hawk (Alan Rogers) and Mr Turkey (Lance Cranstoun), played its part according to style and the Usher (Heather Bradshaw) and the Policeman (Victor Jones) completed a scene which provided both interest and amusement.

The final scene (the Banqueting Room at Toad Hall) provided a culmination which was both fitting and impressive; and the honouring of a toast in natural style proved to be quite within the capabilities of the performers. It was in this scene that fortune turned on the side of Toad and the manner in which the actors and actresses fell in with the wishes of Toad carried conviction.

“Toad of Toad Hall” is a play typical of the fanciful and delicate works of A. A. Milne which appeal greatly to children, but are also most attractive to adults. The author’s sense of caricature comes through clearly in this brilliant play, which evokes a nostalgia for childhood days. In a' curious mixture of animals and human beings the playwright has achieved a cohesive work which is well pointed in the production by the Little Southlanders. The play will be given for the last time in the Civic Theatre tonight. Intending patrons are advised that it will be necessary to book for this evening’s performance.