AMUSING “LILIES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 14

AMUSING “LILIES”

COMEDY AT; TOWN HALL

BREAJH Of VICTORIANISM “Lilies of t!tm Field,’* a comedy in three acts, Hastings Turner. Produced in the concert chamber of the Town Hall laist evening by Una Dysart Buddie. CAST: Rev. John 3&ead ----- - W. H. Graham Ann - - Constance Clark Katherine Margot Finlayson Elizabteh - -- -- -- -- Joy Bartley Mrs. Rook?e-Walter - - - Susan McCallum Barnaby Haddon - - Montagu Steele Bryan Ropes ------ John N. Gordon Hon. Monica Flane - - - Cecily Russell Lady Sarsan Rocker - - Ysolinde McVeagh Violet - -- -- -- - Ruth Robertson Witthecs ------- Hamish Henderson

“LHies of the Field” combines the chaip of lavender and old lace with the healthy riot of modern youth.

It was a pretty device to put a Victorian Miss into a modern household, a*id Hastings Turner has succeeded admirably with it. When his comedy ■was first produced in London a few years ago the critics all agreed that it was a delightful piece of work. “Lilies of the Field” has genuine humour in it humour which is neither forced nor garish. It does not go to extremes (if one excepts the engagement of one of the couples after a day's friendship), and gives us a pleasant rest between the satiric comedies of Mr. Shaw and his sycophants and the horrid, tempestuous efforts of the less sanitary writers of to-day. Certainly there is a touch of satire, deftly suggested.

Briefly, the story tells of the Rev. John Head’s twin daughters who have a few yards of crepe de chine and a. trip to London given them as birthday presents. The choice of which shall go to London rests, at their grandmother’s suggestion, on which of tbe s-irls makes an impres-

sion on a vi&xung antiquarian, a quite attractive person. Elizabeth decides to become earrly Victorian, astounding her parents and sweeping the antiquarian off his feet. In London the pose is a huge success, and soon Elizabeth has gathered all the city’s poseurs in he*: grandmother’s flat. Meanwhile Katherine comes to town, staggers her sister’s followers with her “barbaric” ways and captures one of the bewhiskered admirers. The fate of posing as a Victorian all her life is too much for Elizabeth, and she confesses her artifiC€i. “Lilies of the Field” was most capably acted and the signs of Miss Dysart Buddie’s work as producer were pleasantly obvious. Apart from this two National Anthems in one evening could rinf l">oln make for success.

Canon Archdall, headmaster of King’s College, thanked everyone associated with the production. Few amateur stage curates have been played with the repose displayed by Mr. Graham. It was an excellent performance, toned down to the required degree and played with an evenness which was admirable. Miss Bartley gave a sound interpretation of a role which demanded the vigour of 1928, and the historical modesty of the crinoline period. Mrs. Finlayson was delightfully youthful without making it obvious. A charming stage presence stands her in good stead. One is never disappointed with Mrs. McCallum’s work. It is sincere. She “gets under” her characters and invests them with human qualities. Miss McVeagh gave an excellent study of a London smart set poseur. Mrs. Clark was the subdued vicar’s wife, playing her part quietly and restfully. Mr. Steele seemed to feel his responsibility as a lover, but dutifully went through with it. Mr. Gordon extracted sufficient comedy from his part to make it alive. Miss Russell joined in the ecstasy of a return to crinolines. Smaller roles were taken by Miss Robertson and Mr. Henderson. “Lilies of the Field” will be performed for the last time this evening.

“RED DANCER OF MOSCOW”

RAOUL WALSH’S LATEST It is not often that a director will act in the capacity of megaphonewielder and actor in the same picture, but that is what Raoul Walsh is doing in “The Red Dancer of Moscow,” his latest production for Fox Films, and in which the delectable Dolores del Rio is starred. Walsh took numerous tests of actors in the hope of finding one suitable for the “heavy” role in the film, but eventually decided that he himself was most suitable for the part. He is accordingly acting this role before the camera, and directing the picture in between times. The story is from the novel by Harry L. Gates, a story which proved immensely popular when serialised in the States. Charles Farrell and Leila Hyams are other artists whose names have been included in the cast.

The youngest leading woman that ever played with Reginald Denny appears in “That’s My Daddy.” Denny really has three leading ladies, Barbara Kent, Lillian Rich and Jane La Verne, the five-year-old marvel. Others in the cast are Tom O'Brien, Mathilde Brundage, Armand Kaliz and Wilson Benge. Fred Newmeyer directed. Gail Lloyd, for several months past a member of the Paramount Christie beauty brigade, has just been elevated to featured parts in the studio’s tworeel comedies. She will be seen in “Long Hose,” with Jack Duffy starred, and the cast including Jimmy Harrison, Gale Genry, Eddie Baker and George Hall.