‘WITHOUT THE PRINCE’

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1941, Page 6

‘WITHOUT THE PRINCE’

MANY CHUCKLES AND LAUGHS LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY'S GREAT SUCCESS. FINE ALL-ROUND PERFORMANCE. Highly “entertaining and amusing, and at times uproariously funny, the three-act comedy, “Without the Prince." presented by the Masterton Little Theatre Society in the Opera House on Saturday night, was considered by many among the large audience to be the best play ever produced by the society. Never before has the audience at the society's plays been so enthusiastic or so free with its applause. There were few intervals when laughter was not ringing through the theatre.

A most pleasing feature of the presentation was the excellent characterisations given by practically every member of the cast and the society has every reason to be well satisfied with the high standard achieved by all connected" with the production. It was a most commendable effort in every way, especially when it is remembered that the Masterton Society's presentation is claimed to be the first outside of England. Moreover, the net proceeds of Saturday night’s performance are being donated by the society to the Navy-Nursing Services Queen and those of this evening's concluding performance to the Army Queen. Well staged, with effective attention to detail, "Without the Prince,” as it was presented on Saturday night left little to be desired. The comedy, which is depicted in the living room of a farm in the village of Upper Netherwick, revolves around a good vicar, whose one aim is to bring about intellectual uplift among his parishioners by means of an amateur production of “Hamlet.” At the last minute, the “Prince” is unable to take his part and full play is made on the difficulties thus created.

Those taking part in the comedy were: Miss Mary McLaren, Mary Wetherhead; Mr Lawson Pither, Robert Wetherhead; Mr N. M. Irwin, the Rev. Simon Peters; Mr J. KentJohnston, Ezra Westhead: Mr J. Norrie, Police Constable James Hawkins; Mrs F. L. Price. Emma Wetherhead: Mr J. A. Kennedy, The Stranger; Mr M. M. Simpson, Wydnham Johns; Mrs N. Beetham, Madeleine Lees; Miss Bebe Francis, Mrs Peters. It would be ali most invidious to pick out any of the ; characterisations for special mention, i as the cast was one of all-round excel--1 lence. Miss McLaren’s first appearance ■ created a most favourable impression; I Mr Lawson Pither enacted the role of ! a simple boy with conspicuous success; , Mr Irwin made a delightful parson; Mr ; Kent-Johnston played the henpecked j husband to perfection; Mr Norrie filled I the role of a police constable torn beI tween love and duty; Mrs Price ably ■ maintained her reputation in previous I appearances; Mr Kennedy, likewise. I secured another triumph in a difficultcharacterisation. while Mr Simpson. Mrs Beetham and Miss Francis all did well in their respective parts. The producer and stage manager, Mr J. M. Lawson, had evidently put in a lot of time and effort to ensure the success of the play. At the conclusion of the performance Mr Mackenzie Douglas, president of the society, presented Miss Barbara Barton, the Navy-Nursing Services Queen and Miss Audrey Burling, the Princess Royal, to the audience and expressed the society's thanks to the audience for the warm reception, it had given the play and to all who had assisted with the production. Those who have not seen “Without the Prince" should make a point, of doing so this evening, when the concluding performance will be given.