“PRIVATE LIVES”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1939, Page 8

“PRIVATE LIVES”

MASTERTON PRESENTATION The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the public of the theatre insists upon value for money. Tn the Thespians’ production of “Private Lives” it gets it. The large audiences that witnessed the Wellington productions knew a bargain when they saw one. Masterton playgoers will be quick to recognise an even greater bargain—the identical production at charges for admission very much lower than at Wellington. The Masterton public will be able to see this sterling performance at the Opera House on Saturday. December 16. at the low charges 3s. 2s and Is. The ingredients in this particular pudding —some of them pretty piquant too—in a large part consist of martital squabbles and makings-up, slaps and embraces, all bound together with dialogue of the snappiest, smartest, and most modern that Noel Coward could conceive and get past the Lord Chamberlain. There are also willing enough catch-as-catch-can tussles demonstrating the fragility of the bonds of unholy matrimony, but sending the audience into shrieks of laughter and into wondering what next. The first act is a masterpiece in craftsmanship. with smart, scintillant dialogue. The second act. as performed by the Thespians in Wellington, was described .as conspicuous for the line acting of Miss Lesley Jackson as Amanda, and Mr Kenneth Fowles as Elyot. Amanda is made to appear charming, capricious, amoral, vivacious by turns, and, when put out, a violent termagant. Sibyl Chase (Miss Doris Mildenhall) is one of those "nice women" from whom Amanda prays heaven to be preserved. She works herself up into a "tine frenzy," too. at the close of the play. Mr Charles Johnston, as Victor Prynne. gives an admirable representation of the justlyinfuriated dupe of Amanda’s capaciousness and infidelity. The part of Louise is said to be delightfully handled by Miss Mollie Cummings. She has but a lew commonplace remarks to make in French, but they are said trippingly and with good effect.