“THARK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 424, 4 August 1928, Page 16

“THARK”

ANOTHER GLOOM-CHASER CYRIL VERNON’S BEST ROLE “Tharx,” a farce comedy in three acts and four scenes, by Ben Travers. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. CAST. Hook - -- -- -- - Leslie Victor Louise - -- -- -- - Willia Lyndberg Cherry Buck Helene Simon Lionel Frush - -- -- -- - Don Farrall Mrs. Frush - -- -- -- - Minnie Rayner Sir Hector IBenbow - - - Cyril Vernon Ronald Gamble - - - - - Hastings Lynn Lady Benbow ------- Jane Comfort Kitty Stratton ------- Beth Maekay Jones ------- Victor Fitzherbert Whittle - -- -- -- - Willie Clifton After the success of “Rookery Nook” and “The Cuckoo in the Nest” it seems unnecessary to state that “Thark” is amusing. One might just as well write, “and the dawn came in the east.” Last evening’s production completes the trilogy of Travers’s farces, and one can only hope that the appreciation with which they have been received prompts The Firm to speculate in another series of English comedies or

farces. May the author of them be Ben Travers. “Thark” is a happy combination of comedy and “spoof” mystery play. Apparently Mr. Travers decided to take a leaf from Edgar Wallace’s book. If so he has succeeded so admirably that we could wish to see him write a whole mystery play. Although “Thark” culminates in a riotously amusing bedroom scene it begins in a London flat, 'where a hunting baronet’s attempt at infidelity is thwarted by the unexpected return of his wife. A butler whose equilibrium has been disturbed by becoming a father, muddles a message, and the arrival of two women to keep a dinner appointment with the erring husband coincides with the wife’s return. One of the invited is young and pretty; the other has come to complain that Thark, the country house she has bought through the bold, bad baronet, is haunted. To test the habitation of the ghost the whole party moves to Thark, and the increasing gales of laughter move with it. How that ghost is laid may not carry conviction, but it is the most amusing bedroom fare we have ever witnessed. The muddle of sweethearts and wives, mistaken messages and subterfuge provide Mr. Lynn and Mr. Vernon with all the material they need to disperse the blues for ever and a day. They form the ideal contrast. Their team work is excellent. Each gets his laughs by entirely different methods. The honours must go to Mr. Vernon, whose abrupt, fruity method is all the more enjoyable because of its apparent ease. Miss Rayner had comparatively little to do, but she maintained the high standard which was given in her two previous performances. Mr. Victor gave another splendid character role. He is not afraid to sink his personality in his part. Miss Comfort gave a sound performance. She apparently revels in the severe role, ably assisted by the use of a monocle. Miss Mackay was sufficiently girlish and forgiving to make one forget her rather wooden manner. Mr. Fitzherbert was sepulchural and convincing enough for any mystery play. The other members of the company gave the necessary support to this last, but not least, of a most enjoyable season. “Thark” is most admirably staged. The first scene of the third act is an impressive setting.