“MIDNIGHT”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 November 1939, Page 7

“MIDNIGHT”

ST ANDREW’S NIGHT CONCERT

The common complaint against the one-act play, that its brevity does not permit the proper development of a plot, is happily inapplicable to “Midnicht,” the Saint Andrew Society’s selection for its St Andrew’s Nicht concert. The play is one of exceptional merit, in which an excellent plot unfolds itself, and is worked out to its dramatic conclusion, before the eyes of the audience. It is described as a “comedy-thriller,” and this a very fitting description of it. An eerie atmosphere is developed from the outset in the lonely Scots biggin where the scene is laid. Mystery and suspense are sustained throughout, till the play ends in a climax in which the- police play a prominent part. Moreover, the play is delightfully humorous throughout. , The play being such as it is, adequate performance of it is all that is required to ensure success. The Society is exceptionally fortunate in its selection of the cast. Miss Grace Gaudin, on whom depends a great deal of the mystery, is said to give a sterling performahce, while Miss Margaret McLaren, as the most receptive of those involved, is stated to play up to Miss Gaudin in a manner calculated to convey to the audience a proper sense of the situation. Mrs Robert Miller, Mr Wm. C. Mann, and Mr J. A. Kennedy are all cast in suitable roles, which they are said to portray with marked ability. The highlight of the show is stated to be provided by Mr P. C. McLaren, in whose hands is entrusted much i of the humour of the play. The fact that his lines are in his native Doric is no doubt a great help to him. Messrs A. M. Mackenzie Douglas and Findlay Milne, though their appearance on the stage is but brief, fully sustain their parts of police officers. Stage effects are a feature of the play, and these are under the control of Mr J. M. Lawson as stage-manager, who, it is reported, handles them in professional style. Mrs Robert Miller’s skill as a producer is too well known to call fbr comment. Mr Pither reports that the reservation of seats for the concert is progressing rapidly.