“LOVERS’ LEAP”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1938, Page 2

“LOVERS’ LEAP”

LITTLE THEATRE PRODUCTION TONIGHT. Tonight, in the Opera House, The newly-formed Masterton Little Theatre Society will ring up the curtain on its first public presentation, Philip Johnson's hilarious comedy, "Lovers’ Leap.” Produced by Mrs E. J. Rich and supervised by Mr F. E McCallum, the play has been assiduously rehearsed during the past few weeks, and the final dress rehearsal last night went off without a hitch. Yesterday Mr Les. Hill, the well-known Wellington designer, made a special trip to Masterton to give the society the benefit of his advice regarding the settings. The plot centres on two sisters, one of whom, through a fancied “hoodoo” on the matrimonial “leaps” of the female members of her family, is hesitant about marrying Cedric Norreys, a sincere and unsophisticated young man with whom she is in love, and toys with the idea of merely “living with him.” At the critical weekend when she has arrived at her sister’s country home to grapple with this problem, her sister’s husband, who had deserted his temperamental wife seven years previously, unexpectedly arrives, and from then on Things happen fast and furious. The humour is mainly supplied by Frederic McCallum, whose delightful portrayal of the role of Cedric Norreys brings endless merriment. Peggy Mirams, as the highly-strung Helen Storer, and Grace Hopkins, as the assertive Sarah Traille, are both responsible for excellent .work, while John Harcourt gives a splendid performance as Roger Storer, the “wife-bitten” Egyptologist. ’ The box plan is at Nimnio’s, where reservations may be made free of charge.