THE BARRIE CHARM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1058, 23 August 1930, Page 14

THE BARRIE CHARM

ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS The Barrie charm prevailed at the concert chamber last evening. Two of his one-act plaj's were presented by the St. Andrew's Society, and a talk on the playwright’s life and work was given by the Rev. W. J. Shaw. It was an excellent evening’s entertainment, and worthy of the big audience which filled the chamber. Every year the St. Andrew’s Society devotes its energies to the work of a Scottish playwright. This year the choice could not have been better. “THE OLD LADY SHOWS HER MEDALS” Mrs. Dowry ------- Peggy Ilovey. Mrs. Twymley - - - - Maisie Mrs. Micklcham - - - Constance Clark The Haggerty "Woman - - - Ethel Rae Mr. Willings ------ Harold Sayers Kenneth Dowey - -- -- -- J. D. Swan Miss Hovcy and Mr. Swan repeat their outstanding success of last year when “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals” was done by the Little Theatre Society. It is perhaps one of the greatest plays ever written with war and the effect of war as its theme, and the Barrie whimsy and charm have never been more perfectly displayed than they are by this old lady who has her make-believe son. Miss Ilovey, as the old lady, invests her work with deep sincerity. Mr. Swan most ably plays the soldier. Mrs. Clark gave a performance rich in humour and shrewd observation. Miss Carte Lloyd and Miss Rae were admirable as the other old ladies. “A WELL REMEMBERED VOICE” Mrs. Don - -- -- -- - Betty Budge - ------ - Lilian Lugton The Major R. McCrone Mr. Rogers W. S. Lang Mr. Don - -- -- -- - Gordon Spence The Voice - 7 7? Barrie was dabbling in the supernatural when he wrote the “WellRemembered Voice.” and later “Mary Rose.” It has the unmistakable touch of this master of gentle humour and delicate tenderness A husband cannot believe with his wife in the immortality of the soul. Their son is dead, but lus voice comes from the void and talks in the evening candle-light. Mr. Spence gave an excellent performance as the father. Miss Budge and the other members of this cast acted nicely, and succeeeded in interpreting the author’s intentions with sincerity. The “well-remembered” voice of a well-known Aucklander came very nicely out of the void. The two plays will be presented for the last time this evening.