FORTHCOMING PLAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1921, Page 7

FORTHCOMING PLAYS.

NEW PLYMOUTH AMATEUR SEASON At first sight there seems little connection between “Poached Eggs and Pearls,” the title of the amusing comedy to be given on 4th, sth and kith May, at the Workers’ Hall by a cast of local amateurs, but when we know that the scene takes place in % canteen during the war, where soldiers consumed vast quantities of poached eggs, waited on by ladies of whom several were titled, and one of whom wore a beautiful String of pearls at the canteen, as being the safest place to keep the ‘ pearls, then the connection seems more likely. But even titled ladies succumb to the fascination of gallant if uncommissioned and comparatively poor airmen, and the humors of courtship over “one poached egg and a soss and mashed twice,” are vividly seen in Gertrude Jennings’ clever play. The amount of crockery which will be smashed on the Workers’ Hall stage will be alarming, but the kindest of hearts and sympathy for “our dear soldiers” does not atone for titled or untitled incompetence as an amateur waitress. The two acts certainly show a very lively hour in this particular canteen.

The second play is an entire contrast. Every humorous author at some time thinks he can write a serious work. Mr. W. W. Jacobs goes further, and in “The Monkey’s Paw” shows that a genius for humor may include an ability to describe a situation as grim and terrifying ‘as anything Poe conceived, with a most eerie atmosphere of unknown forces beyond our ken, of what may happen when wishes come true. A mother’s fine son is terribly injured and killed in electrical machinery. What more natural than that she should wish to see him once again? “The Monkey’s Paw,” endowed with a strange magic from the East, grants the fulfilment of a wish. The play will show you the heart-rending issue.

The proceeds of the three evenings will help on that, deserving cause, “The Clarke Memorial Hostel for Girls.”