"RELATIVE VALUES" WAS FIRST-CLASS SHOW

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 19 August 1955, Page 7

"RELATIVE VALUES" WAS FIRST-CLASS SHOW

The three-act Noel Coward comedy "Relative Values," put on at the War Memorial Hall on Wednesday e3ening, August 10, by the Little Theatie Society, of Rotorua, was a first-class show which went without a let-down from start to finish. The performance marked the first occasion on which the Taupo Dramatic Society had invited an outside society to produce a play in Taupo. In returning thanks to the guest players on behalf of the Taupo Society, the president, Miss Dulcie Cohen, said she hoped it would not be the last time tbe Little Theatre Society played in Taupo, a remark which drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Throughout the play the dialogue was marked by clarity and just the right pace to put over the wit and humour of the lines. Meriol Buchanan, in the major role of Countess of Marshwood, played an unusually long part with an ease and distinction which set the seal of success on the whole show. As the maid-companion Peg Cameron was an excellent support. Geoffrey Stanger succeeded admirably as the butler who can act as confidential family adviser and thinks social equality is bunk. .Tames Callaghan was sound and convincingly amusing as the Countess' cousin, as also was Dennis Leigh in the smaller part of a retired and convent.ional admiral. Beverley Holland, as the actress who almost. ensnares the young earl, Barry Ellis, in the latter part, and Peter Bates as his American rival. all succeeded in keeping the fun going without a hitch. Minor parts were well takou by Patricia Haden and Margaret Reid. The smoothness of the action throughout was a credit to the producer and his cast. II was unfortnnate that the audie.nce was not larger, due no doubt to somewhat. short notice of the production. Ihe stnndard of which deserved a packed house.