“CHARLEY’S AUNT”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1939, Page 6

“CHARLEY’S AUNT”

' CLEAN, WHOLESOME COMEDY. | HILARIOUS ENTERTAINMENT AT OPERA HOUSE. As an example of good, clean and wholesome humour, “Charley’s Aunt,” I presented in the Opera House last night by the Celebrity Comedy Company, set a standard that was a welcome relief from the vulgar and coarse vein which permeates so many presentday productions. There was nothing in "Charley’s Aunt" to which even the most sensitive person could object and the whole performance was highly entertaining and amusing. Don Nicol, who as Lord FancourtBabberley impersonated Donna Lucia d’Alvadorey, the millionairess “from Brazil where the nuts come from,” raised roars of spontaneous laughter with his clever characterisation. As “Charley’s Aunt" ho was a scream, and judging by his performance last night his widespread popularity as a comedian is easy to understand. Imagine a young Oxford undergraduate attired in the long black dress and “antimacassar” of an elderly lady, momentarily forgetting himself in the presence of womenfolk and finding himself the centre of devoted attention by two charming young ladies, whose fiances watch with consternation his actions in their company. These and many other situations equally diverting occurred throughout the impersonation and in all of them Don Nicol rose to the heights of tom-foolery and brought down the house without fail. John Fleeting, as Jack Chesney and Lane Patterson as Charley Wykeham, who were responsible for getting their friend to take up the impersonation, acted as excellent foils to the comedian. As the plot developed, it enmeshed several young ladies, two elderly gentlemen and Donna Lucia d’Alvadorey herself before it was finally unravelled.

The leading feminine role was taken by Shirley Ann Richards, who has scored some notable successes in Australian films. She was ably supported by Mary Duncan and Maisie Wallace. Leal Douglas, as the real Donna Lucia d’Avlvadorey was dignified and selfpossessed. Phil Smith, as the fortunehunting Mr. Spettigue, caused many a laugh in his capers across the stage and Norman Barrington lived his role of a retired military officer from India. Charles Albert, the producer of the comedy, appeared -as Brassett, the servant. At the conclusion of last night's performance the company was accorded an ovation. TONIGHT'S ATTRACTION. "UP IN MABEL'S ROOM.” Tonight, the company will present the farce, “Up in Mabel's Room.” Judging by last night's performance of “Charley's Aunt," tonight's presentation should be equally enjoyable and no one who wants a real good laugh should miss it. “Up in Mabel’s Room” is described as a joyous production which engages the laughing attention of the audience at the outset and jumps naturally to a series of hilarious farcical situations, mingled with a deal of diverting comedy. Exploiting a wide range of funmaking devices, the play is frequently uproarious and reveals the all-round talent of the company.