“THE GREAT BROXOPP”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 435, 17 May 1937, Page 4

“THE GREAT BROXOPP”

DRAMA LEAGUE’S SUCCESS Milne Comedy Well Received “The Great Broxopp,’’ a four-act play by A. A. Milne, was presented at the Town Hall, SKratford, on Saturday night by the Central Taranaki Area of the British Drama League. Though tho dress-circle was full, the attendance in the body of the hall was disappointing. The play was well produced under the direction of Mrs F. P. Uniacke, and the players were applauded for their respective presentations. But the members of the audience were cool rather than enthusiastic, in sharp contrast to the Broxopp enthusiasm. On the whole, however, the comedy was well received, and' its success should encourage the League to present similar plays on the local stage. Milne, of course, is not really commercial Theatre. “The Great Boxopp” portrays the rise from poverty to wealth of Jim end Nancy Broxopp, the engagement of their son Jack to Iris, the daughter of a local baronet, Sir Roger Tenterden, and the latter’s stipulation that Broxopp’s method of advertising his famous Beans for Babies by displaying a poster of his son as a Broxopp baby must cease. Sir Roger is something of a swindler, and’ taking charge of Broxoopp’s investments after the latter has sold out his lucrative business, manages to lose all his money for him. The last act depicts Jim and NenOy beginning life again at fifty—but the magic of Broxopp’s? touch has failed. Jack, however, has inherited his father’s artistic and advertising genius, and the last scene shows him rushing off to make the family fortune again.

The cast was. -as fofflows:—Brqjcopp, Mr Walter J. Hall; Mrs Broxopp (Nancy), Miss E. Cartwright; Jack Broxopp (their son), Mr Kenneth Moss; Iris Tentcrden (his wife), Mrs Ray Stokes; Sir Roger Tenterden, Mr Harry Glover; Benham (butler at the Broxopp’s country house), Mr Harry Gloodiman; Honorla Johns (journalist). Miss Evelyn Moon; Mary, Mrs N. S. Deare; Alice, Miss Lucy Penn; Norah Field, Miss Molly Malone and Ronald Derwent, Mr Don patten, guests of Broxopp’s.

Mr Hall was the hardes J-worked member of the. cast, and he was letter perfect. His enthusiasm was sustained remarkably well. His acting was of good amateur standards while his articulation was quite commendable. The scene in which the Broxopp’s were made acquainted with the loss of their fortune was lacking In effect to tome extent. Nei her Broxopp nor his wife sensed the climax it made in their lives, and it was passed over in a rather matter-of-fact, manner. This lack of climax may be said to be the major fault in the presentation of the play, which pursued' the even tenor of its way, and left the audience seeking inspiration. Miss Cartwright ably supported Broxopp throughout and sustained her reputation as a distinctly capable amateur actress. The most popular actor was Mr Goodman, whose sense of what is expected from a butler was excellent. He never overdid: the part, but maintained it with butlerish dignity and composure to the end. His entrances and exits were splendid. Mr Glover’s impersonation of an arch confidante under the guise of a financier was one of the highlights of the performance. He was most effective in the scene where he was challenged! by Broxopp to disclose the results of the latter’s investments, finally .admitting the loss’ of the fortune that had been committed to his charge. •Mr Moss was good as the juvenile lead. He looked the part Well, and caught the essential English atmosphere more so than the other mem. bers of the cast. Mrs Stokes was happy as the dau-ghter-in-laiw, and her loyalty to the family when ’the crash came was shown by the fact that she dropped: corresponding with her own father. A good scene at the country home was spoilt owing to the players speaking too fast. Otherwise, all the minor parts were quite wall done. The dressing of characters and the furnishing were modern. The League is indebted to Mrsi Deare. and other ladies for the furniture. Mr C. H Rogers’, orchestra played selections between the acts; the instrumentalists being: Mr Rogers and Miss Rogers (violins), Mr W. El liolt (cornet), Mr Dick (flute), Mr C. Femmell (bass), and Miss Evelyn. Moon (piano).

DRIVERS’ LICENSES. Drivers’ and heavy traffic licenses can now be obtained at the Stratford Borough Council Office.