“BIRD IN HAND”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 635, 11 April 1929, Page 15

“BIRD IN HAND”

LITTLE THEATRE’S LATEST SUCCESS A DRINKWATER COMEDY “Bird in Hand,” a comedy in three acts by John Drinkwater. Presented at the Concert Chamber last evening by the Auckland Little Theatre Society. Cast: Joan Greenleaf Janet Clarkson Alice Greenleaf Ina M. Allan Thomas Greenleaf .. . . Arnold Goodwin Gerald Arnwood Harold Haines Mr. Blanquet Han Flood Cyril Beverley . . . . Morrison Steedman Ambrose Godolpliin, K.C. ..Ernest Blair Sir Robert Arnwood .. Gerald Roxburgh "When John Drinkwater wrote “Bird in Hand,” liis admirers deplored his departure from the field of historical plays. A rustic comedy from the author of “Mary Stuart,” “Oliver Cromwell” and “Robert E. Lee” was at least unusual, and fears were entertained for its success. But Sir Barry Jackson, of the Birmingham Repertory Society, is a keenjudge of good theatrical entertainment; he saw the possibilities of “Bird in Hand,” and produced it with great success. Drinkwater’s first and only comedy to date has just ended a season which lasted for nearly a year in London. This comedy of social prejudices is redolent of rustic England. Behind those prejudices Drinkwater has shrewdly given us his idea of the change in social conditions during the past half century. “Don’t you think people have got over that prejudice against titles,” one of the lines of the comedy, seems to be the theme on which the author has built it. Drinkwater’s characters are delightfully drawn and save his comedy from becoming unduly dull at times. The action is apt to lag a little and lose itself in volumes of talk. It is then that the character drawing comes to the rescue. In real life the keeper of a country inn would willingly allow his daughter to marry the son of a nobleman —and give her all possible assistance in doing so. But not in Drinkwater’s comedy. He twists the old idea and gives us an obstinate, blunt, but rather lovable, old innkeeper who believes in class and one’s station in life. He has refused to recognise any social change, and is unable to forget that an aunt of his was seduced by one of “the county.” Joan Greenleaf, his daughter, is a product of the modern school—impetuous, self-willed and well able to take care of herself. Greenleaf refuses to sanction his daughter’s attachment to the son of a nobleman, and the play begins with her open defiance of his wishes. An eminent K.C., a traveller in sardines, and the fatuous son of an artistically-inclined yeast “king” who arrive at the inn are suddenly precipitated into the family upheaval, and incidentally bring zest and interest to the comedy.

Mr. Brampton has again exercised his happy skill in selecting the right people for the right part, and the society’s firts production for this year opened to an enthusiastic house, including the vice-regal party. No one could deny the general approval with which the production was greeted, though it must be confessed that the loudest laugh went to Mr. Flood’s first appearance in a nightshirt. Drinkwater is too good an author to allow the farcical characters of his comedy to over-ride the action of the play, and Mr. Brampton has kept them sufficiently within bounds to be reasonable. Miss Clarkson, who is making her first appearance with the Little Theatre Society, came through with flying colours. She gave us an interesting picture of a modern daughter fighting her father with his own obstinacy. Her delivery was excellent and she handled the more emotional scenes with admirable restraint. Mr. Goodwin, one of the staunchest players of the society, never mistakes character for caricature. He carefully avoided the monotony with which his part must inevitably be tinged. Mr. Flood gave us an admirable picture of a traveller in sardines suffering from an inferiority complex. The enthusiasm which came his way may tend to make him over-play the part. In Mr. Blair the

| society has a player with a good stage I presence, who knows the value of repose. His work wa3 consistently good, and the character most admirably sustained. This can also be said of Mrs, Allan, whose work is best described b\ that simple word—charm. Mr. Plaines played the young lover as it should have been played. Mr. Steed man conscientiously applied himself to ar amusing role and succeeded ably in making every line an effective on»-. Mr : Roxburgh looked a baronet to th« manner born: can one say more? I “Bird In Hand" will be played until ’ Saturday evening.