Stage Ordeal

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 306, 17 March 1928, Page 24

Stage Ordeal

Actor Reads His Part from Script MAKING LOVE WITH ONE EYE ON HIS LINES One of the performances ever seen on the London stage was that at the Q Theatre, of Wallace Geoffery, when he read from typescript the principal part in the new play, “The Lonely Road,” by Michael Orme. It was known only that night at G o’clock that the leading actor, Robert Harris, who had injured his leg, would be unable to appear. There are no understudies at the Q Theatre, and it was impossible at the last moment to find an actor who could hope to memorise a long and difficult part. Mr. Geoffery, who played a small part in the piece, happened to be tho first to arrive at the theatre, and he was asked by the manager if he would read the part. He agreed to do so, although, he told a newspaper representative just before the play began, he felt “terrible.” The position was explained to the audience by the manager, who asked that as much help as possible should be given not only to Mr. Geoffery, but also to Walter Schofield, who had to read Mr. Geoffery’s part. The ordeal of having to read a part the script of which he had not even seen was overcome magnificently by Mr. Geoffery. There were moments when a less sympathetic and intelligent audience would have laughed. “I am the king of your dreams,” he had to say, with one eye on the script. “Every foot of the way is torture.” He had to cry while turning over the page, and while making passionate love to Helen Vereker, played by Ethel Irving, his eyes could not long be away from the lines which he had in his hands. The audience, after the first act, gave him a great ovation, and there was also much applause for Mr. Schofield, who had not even the advantage of having seen the play before. The entire cast, keyed up for the occasion, gave an extremely good performance, finding the audience responsive and sympathetic throughout.

Richard "White, of White and Edgeley, who introduced the Joseph Cunningham English Comedy Co. and the Midnight Frolics to New Zealand last year, passed through Auckland recently en route to New York to confer with Mr. E. J. Carroll on the matter of securing suitable plays for Australia and New Zealand.

On. March 28 and for the three succeeding nights, the Auckland Little Theatre Society will present, at the concert chamber, Town Hall. “If,” a reniarkable play by Lord Dunsany. Miss Beryl Nettleton, who gave such a delightful performance in the “Cassilis Engagement,” will play Lisa, a Cockney maid. Miss Nettleton’s work is always interesting, and she will be seen to advantage in this part.

Mr. Tom Harris, who gave such a delightful performance when he played “William, the waiter,” in Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell,” at the. beginning of last year, will plaj” “All,” an important part in “If.” the play to be produced by the Auckland Little Theatre Society in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Ma-rch 28, 29, 30 and 3L Ali, a Persian, having received a kindness from John Beale, a Londoner, repays his debt by bringing him a magic crystal which has power to relive the past, at the request of its owner. Mr. Harris’s melodious voice and stage presence suit this part admirably.

The rise in theatrical management of Messrs. Richard White and Eric Edgeley may be truly described as meteoric. A few years ago these boys were practically unknown on the business side, and to-day, in addition to directing the destinies of the Midnight Frolics, they are the proprietors of the Joseph Cunningham English Comedy Company, and have a working arrangement with Mr. E. J. Carroll in connection with the Atheneum Theatre, Melbourne. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., are also presenting two of their plays, “The Last Warning.” and “The Alarm Clock,” in Adelaide and Brisbane. The Midnight Frolics will tour New Zealand under the direction of Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller later in the year.

Captain Redmond will play an important part in the remarkable play “If,” written by Lord Dunsany, which is to be presented by the Auckland Little Theatre Society at the concert chamber, Town Hall, on March 28, 2*. 30 and 31. Although this member has not played for the Auckland Little Theatre Society before, he is a wellknown member of the Auckland Operatic Society. The part Captam Redmond plays is that of Ben Hussein. Lord Dunsany describes him as looking worse than the modern Blue Beard. He is the chief of an Eastern empire, and brooks no interferenceThe two London clerks prove too muca for him, and he is ultimately assassinated, one of them stepping in*° hIS shoes. The part calls for a big man w r ith a big voice with plenty of stage presence, w r hich Captain Redmond na in abundance.