“APPLESAUCE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 745, 19 August 1929, Page 15

“APPLESAUCE”

SLICK AMERICAN COMEDY SUCCESSOR TO “THE PATSY” “Applesauce,” a comedy in three acts by Barry Conners. Presented at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening: by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. CAST Mrs. Robinson Viola Fortescu Mr. Robinson .. ... .. George H. Trader Mrs. Jennie Baldwin .. Gertude Augarde Hazel Robinson Ruth Nugent * * * • Sydney Stirling Biir McAllister Alan Bunce Rollo Jenkins Reginald Newson What is it about these homely American comedies which makes one want to laugh at everything? Remarks like “Don’t you use my razor again to cut your corns with” were greeted hilariously by the audience which attended “Applesauce” on Saturday evening. There is no doubt that Mr. Trader got every available ounce of effect from every line he uttered. There seems to be some sympathetic bond between the players and the audience in plays of this kind. The characters are small-town folk, the plot as slender as the average man’s chance of making a fortune at the races, the play itself is of no contribution to the drama and yet it is amusing in the same way that “The Patsy” was amusing. There is the same intimate picture of a wrangling household, but the view is different. There is certainly an amazing quantity of slick sayings which are given more point by an American accent, but a play like “Applesauce” must be carried along by its acting as well as its smart dialogue. Fortunately this play is well served and not a point is lost. „ “Applesauce,” we are told, is the United States interpretation of “soft soap,” “flattery,” and the like. Bill McAllister had nothing else but that and a rich uncle who despised him for his attitude toward work. He wooed the daughter of Ma and Pa Robinson, who seemed to delight in bickering in a manner which appeal's to be essentially American. Rollo Jenkins, a real hustler, also wooed the fair Hazel Robinson, and won her temporarily. There is nothing in that plot to sap the intelligence. One just needs to sit back comfortably and watch the story unfold, knowing a few minutes after the curtain rises that Hazel had made the* wrong choice to begin with and that everything would come right in the end. It did. Even Pa and Ma stopped their bickering which, incidentally, was most highly amusing while it lasted.

There is some excellent character acting to be seen in “Applesauce,” apart from its snappy dialogue. Barry Conners, who also wrote “The Patsy,” seems to specialise in snap and cute remarks. He “soitanly hands them out” in this production. Nearly the whole of the second act is a succession of them and an enthusiastic house bestowed its approval in a manner which must have convinced the players that Aucklanders like -slick comedy. Mr. Trader carried off the acting honours of “Applesauce.” His assurance and ease and his ability to give every line its maximum effect resulted in an excellent performance. So often the characters of irascible old gentlemen in comedies of this kind are spoiled by over-acting, but not on this occasion. Mr. Trader's work is neatly rounded with a skill which is delightful to watch. A performance almost equally as good was that of Miss Augurde as the family friend and inquisitive busybody. Never have a monotonous voice and dismal expression been used to such good effect. She was the most lugubrious thing we have seen on the stage for many a day. Fortunately the author does not allow her to stay long enough to become tiresome and one welcomes her appearance. Miss Nugent and Mr. Bunce share the romantic honours. Both seemed to act as though they were living their parts and delighting in doing it. Miss Nugent is a type of American actress which is becoming well known and increasingly popular with New Zealand audiences. Her part requires no great ability but she played it refreshingly and easily. Mr. Bunce is a terribly alert young man and his “applesauce” had the same effect on the audience