“ELIZA COMES TO STAY”

Southland Times, Issue 24235, 19 September 1940, Page 5

“ELIZA COMES TO STAY”

THREE ACT PLAY AT

WINTON

FINE PERFORMANCES Acting of high quality was enjoyed by a large audience in the Theatre Royal, Wintoif; on Tuesday night when the three-act play “Eliza Comes To Stay,” .was presented by a company of local players. There was a crowded house and it is expected that the London relief of distress fund will benefit by about £7O. The music was supplied by a local orchestra of seven instruments under the conductorship of Mr W. Jamieson.

The story of the play allows the performers plenty of scope to display their acting ability. It tells how a young bachelor becomes the guardian of a female child. The guardian takes his duties seriously and makes extensive preparations for the child’s arrival; he goes as far as to purchase a book on mothercraft. The young bachelor (the Hon. Sandy Verrail) is dumbfounded when he finds that his charge is not the blue-eyed child of his imagination, but an independent young woman. It is not difficult to imagine the complications that follow and for the first two acts of the play the audience was entertained with many diverting comedy situations. The ending was perhaps slightly disappointing, but nevertheless the players handled the more serious final act in good style. Mrs Anita Hazlett played the part of Eliza, the young woman. The role is not an easy one and makes many demands on the player, but Mrs Hazlett entered into the spirit of the play in an admirable manner and gave a fine interpretation. She was not quite so convincing in the last act, but in the other acts her work was of a high standard. Her comedy was always bright, and never boring. A promising performance was given by Mr Lindsay de la Perrelle, as Uncle Sandy. Although his acting was not without blemishes—he was inclined to rush his words at times—his work generally was full of merit. He showed good understanding of his role, that of a young English aristocrat, and that he is an actor of some ability was shown by the fact that he was able to convey to the audience the true character of the Hon. Sandy

The part of’ Montague Jordan, the man who falls in love with Eliza, only to lose her in the finish, was played by Mr Walter Brandford. His interpretation was not always consistent, although his acting sometimes reached a really high standard. Smaller parts were played by Mrs Mona de la Perrelle, as Miss Vera Lawrence, Mrs Ruby Brandford, as Lady Pennybroke, Mrs Muriel Beale, as the nurse, and by Mr Robin Wilson. All these players showed up to advantage and they contributed not a little to the success of the play. Mr Luke Hazlett combined his role of Herbert, the butler, with the work of director and much credit is due to him. He gave a very finished performance and as director he was largely responsible for the smooth running of the play.