FAMOUS FARCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 November 1939, Page 2

FAMOUS FARCE

“CHARLEY’S AUNT.” With just a gentle and artistic touch of modern make-up in concession to the passage of time since she shocked and charmed the Victorians with her pristine madcap frolics. “Charley's Aunt,” has demonstrated convincingly in her Dominion tour that “there's life in the old gal yet.” The Celebrity Comedy Company's opening performance of the revival season in Auckland was characterised by continuous gusts of laughter,. indicating that the farce which has been a joy to several successive generations of theatregoers and acclaimed one of the world's greatest funmakers, is still good for an enjoyable night's fun. Many notable comedians have been associated with the title role in this pioneer of masquerade comedies, but Don Nicol, who leads the present Australian and New Zealand combination, in no way suffers by comparison with past favourites, states an Auckland paper. He has, of course, his own following of admirers from previous local performances, but the mas-, querade character acting required of him as “Babs” and “Charley's Aunt” in this farce is far beyond the funny business demands of his former appearances. He rose admirably to the occasion of keeping the character portrayal convincing, while at the same time losing no opportunity for hitting up the farcical note. That old musical comedy favourite Phil Smith was Nicol’s able collaborator throughout the piece. A quartet of talented young players in leading roles of straight acting required to emphasise the farce were John Fleeting, Lane Patterson, Shirley Ann Richards and Mary Duncan, while in parts of special intricacy

the experienced Charles Albert, Norman Barrington and Leal Douglas gave unostentatious strength to the performance. All these members of the cast, as well as Maisie Wallace, are favourites whose talent has' been recognised in other roles, and they gave a spirited production. This clever company will appear at Mastertoil on Friday, November 17 and again on Saturday night when the brilliant comedy, “Up in Mabel’s Room,” will be presented. There will be a special matinee on the Saturday afternoon when “Charley’s Aunt” will be repeated.