“THE FARMER’S WIFE.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 10 April 1926, Page 13

“THE FARMER’S WIFE.”

bright comedy. “The Farmer A~wTfe,’’ a clever and entertaining c °“f d y b^ h e atr e Pliilpotts, presented at tlie Tliea Royal last evening by a eombmatlon of English artists under the auspices of Messrs J. C. AVilliamson, Ltd., proved a success from the nsmg of theveurtain. : Set,m; rural England, he story, which dealsin^xceedingly humorous fashion with the love at fairs of a typical English farmer of tho old school and his .pnßt} daughters, possesses,. In addition t a large amount of clean and natural comedy, a freshness. - and charm, which after the usual run of Amen can productions,: is decidedly refreshing 1 That it met with approval uas evidenced by the frequent hearty applause of a, very .appreciative audiellTffie action of tho comedy revolves largely around flamuei Sweetland. A typical English yeomen, Farmer Sweetland, although somewhat of a domestic tyrant-and-inclined to be a trifle rough of manner and of speech, is really not a bad chap at all. Under a rather rough exterior beats a kindly heart-—when lie is approached in the right tyay; IBs character is very aptly delineated in his own remark- “A little child can lead me, but a regiment of soldiers cannot drive me.” Sweetland is a widower with two very pretty daughters on his hands, both engrossed in love affairs AVlien the story opens the father himself is also devoting considerable time and, thought to the subject of matrimony, although on entirely different lines. Sweetland merely, wants a wife; some capable person whose domestic accomplish" ments will enable her to lit sedately into his well ordered scheme of life. He has a list of four possible ladies, drawn up in order of preference — is quite certain that there will be no difficulty in securing a suitable partner. His assurance gets a rude shock, however, when the widow Windeatt very flatly refuses him. Miss Tapper, the next lady of Ins choice, is of the old maid type. Sweetland imagines that here will be found no obstacle. But again he is refused, much to his amazement, especially as Miss Tapper, is obviously flattered at the proposal, and proud, as she pute it, that her "sex challenge” has at last been answered. Mary Hcartt,- the village postmistress, is the third, but here Sweetland pauses to think, and before getting to the point of actually proposing, wisely changes his mind. A fourth lady is also sought with the same unsuccess, and Sweetland returns home a disappointed man. Here he suddenly realises that it was not necessary to have left home in search of a wife; that the ideal woman had always been present in his housekeeper, Araminta Dench, a splendid type of English womanhood. So skilfully is the story woven that only gradually has the idea grown upon the audience that here indeed is the ideal wife for Sweetland. Miss Dench, who thoroughly understands Sweetland, and loves him for all his faults, agrees to change her name, and with the love affairs of the two daughters also being successfully terminated, a very happy finale eventuates. . In the principal role, Mr Townsend AVhitling is responsible for a capital study of the master of Applegarth Farm. Bluff, hearty, and despite all his faults, a devoted parent and an excellent master, Samuel Sweetland in the hands of Mr AVliit-, Lag proved a very likeable character, and one who is responsible for great deal of really excellent comedy. As Araminta Dench, Miss Doris Johnstone, provided a convincing study of the dutiful housekeeper, whose real merit was finally recognised by the unobservant Sweetland. Miss Susan Richmond, as Thirza Tapper, exploited the possibilities of tho role to the utmost, providing an impersonation which will not be soon forgotten. Mr Edwin Brett took the part of Clnmlles Ash, a man servant at Applegartli Farm, being responsible for a good deal of clever byplay. Another humorous character, splendidly handled, was that of Henry Croaker, an old reprobate whose sole aim in life appeared to be confined to the pleasures of the table. In the hands of Mr Douglas Vigors, the role was productive of a good deal of genuine humour. Miss Daphne Bairn as Sibley Sweetland, Miss Frances Cave as Petronell Sweetland, Mr Reginald Newson as George Smerdon, the very persistent lover, anil Mr Graham Stuart as Richard Croaker, all played their respective parts to very good effect. Miss Emmeline Oxford played the rather difficult character of Mary t Hearn with 1 : skill, while Miss ATolet j Ley, as-Louisa AVindeatt was also j suitably cast. A feature of the prol duction was the work of a well balanced orchestra under the direction of Mrs Middleton.