“PRIVATE LIVES”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 8

“PRIVATE LIVES”

MASTERTON PRESENTATION. Noel Coward has been described as] the "man of the theatre" par excel-lence-author, actor, producer, composer, conductor, and brilliant as all five. In the production of "Private Lives" at the Opera House on Saturday, December 16. the Masterton public will have the opportunity of admiring him in two of those capacities —as the, author of the play, and as the composer of the delightful incidental music. Of the production of the play by the Wellington Thespians last month, a Wellington critic, after referring to a number of commendable amateur performances, stated: "That of ’Private Lives' crowns them all for smooth performance and clever characterisation. It was a performance of rare harmony, deftly welded, and played with exhilarating vivacity." All the performers, according to this critic, were sound, and two —Miss Lesley Jackson and Mi Kenneth Fowles— outstanding. "The Amanda of Miss Lesley Jackson was a performance of much charm and vivacity. In appearance, Miss Jackson resembles Billie Burke of 20 years ago. She also has that actress's capacity for speaking glib dialogue intelligently and clearly at tremendous speed and to the manner born. Moreover, Miss Jackson reflects an eager sense of humouh. Mr Kenneth Fowles. too, gave a sterling performance as the cynical, introspective, fiery-tempered Elyot Chase .... His pleasing voice and manner, clever nuances of speech, subtlety of expression, all denote an actor with a fine sense of the theatre." The work of Mr Charles Johnston, in the part of Victor Prynne, also receives high praise, while Miss Mollie Cummings "as the drab, blowsy. French maid Louise, was excellent.” Miss Doris Mildenhall, who will play the part of Sibyl Chase, will unquestionably enhance an already enviable reputation for sterling amateur performance. All these players will take part in the performance in Masterton. where also the play will be produced by Mr Myles F. E. Wright. No one should miss this opportunity of seeing the most famous play of the world’s most famous playwright. under an outstanding producer, and with a brilliant cast.