A DEAL IN “PIGS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 753, 28 August 1929, Page 16

A DEAL IN “PIGS”

MR. BUNCE AND MISS NUGENT AT THEIR BEST AN ENJOYABLE COMEDY • Pigs." a comedy in three acts and four 'scenes by Anne Morrison and Patterson McXutt. Presented at His Majesty's Theatre by J. C. it illiamson. CAST Thomas Atkins George 11. Trader ALkiris. J unr Ala.n Bunce Hec*. r Spe-: .er • * - • Reginald Xewson Grander Spencer . . Gertrude Augarce Ellen Atkins .. .. Viola Fortescu Spence Atkins . . Frank Lenvrc Hastings Phoebe Martyn Si iCb Hastings S "Doc." Springer . . Ronnie Atiiolwood Despite its bucolic title "“Pigs" is a really amusing comedy of American small-town life. A good deal of its humour depends upon the acting and the excellent work of Mr. Bunce and Miss Xugent in particular, but apart from that there is genuine amusement in this story of the family honour saved by a deal in pigs. Why the management should haye chosen to play ••Pigs'* for such a short season is difficult to realise when it has more body, humour and character than several performances of "Daugh That Off" rolled into one. Once more we are presented with a picture of a small-town American home, complete with wireless, "The Stag at Bay," a testy grandmother, her spoiled son and several real people. The youngest member of the Atkins family. Thomas, is still treated as a child, but his keen desire to do something worth while prompts him to embark on a deal in "Pigs.” In this he is aided and sometimes amusingly embarrassed by his admirer. Mildred. How the deal is made and the family saved from dishonour is good light amusement, but unfortunately there is only this evening in which to see it done. •Pigs” is excellently acted, particularly on the male side. Mr. Bunce and Miss Xugent are provided with splendid material, and consequently they are the play. Many of the situations are intensely amusing and both make the most of them in their easy manner. Mr. Trader gave us another admirable character study, never over-drawn and always convincing. Mr. Xewson, in a most uncongenial role, made it really worth while. His work is always interesting in its variety. Mr. Fox has less to do in this production, but he does it very well. Miss Augarde was inclined to dominate the picture when she should really have been a subordinate figure. Miss Fortescu makes the most of her roles and plays them quietly and sensibly. The other members of the company gave all the necessary support. "Pigs,” unfortunately, will be played for the last time this evening.