DRAMATICAL READING.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1943, Page 4

DRAMATICAL READING.

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY PRODUCTION. “PEOPLE IN LOVE.” Every seat in the Savage Club Hall, Masterton ,was filled last evening when the Little Theatre Society presented a. dramatised reading of Arthur Reid’s comedy, “People in Love,” This is the play that was ready for production when the Opera House was put out of commission by earthquake. Meanwhile., the original cast has been .scattered and neither the original producer nor the original stage-manager was. available. In these circumstances, and with no hall available suited to a major production, it was thought advisable- not to ■attempt a full-scale production. The dramatisation presented lastevening proved an admirable substitute, and the laughter and applause throughout evidenced the full enjoyment of the large audience. There, was. not a weak link in the whole cast. Mr R. Thorne perhaps earned the highest measure of approval in his portrayal of the incongruous mixture of banker and. poet. Miss C. M. Francis, and Mr J. AKennedy were both excellent in thetwo principal roles, though Mr. Kennedy has been seen in parts: that, suited, him. better. No doubt his remarkable.performance in “Without the Prince,” some little time ago, has. led playgoers, to be somewhat exacting in their demands of him. Mrs Kennedy gave an outstanding impersonation of a vagilb and inconsequential lady, and she never failed to convoy to the audiencethe humour of her lines. Mr Kent Johnston was outstanding as a disappointed lover, who,- however, eventually finds a remedy for his. slightlycracked heart. His. interpretation was, perhaps, not quite what the authoi intended —he suggested a retired city man rather than a retired military officer—but was little the worse for that; possibly -this is rather a tribute to Mr Kent Johnston’s originality. Two young players, Mr Evan Jaine and Miss Patty Turner, were splendid us u. butler and. a maid, and received a well-deserved ovation for their performances. They did not have mere “walk-on” parts, but difficult roles requiring skilful acting and. careful, characterisation. Mr Kennedy directed the performance, and Mr J. M. Lawson was. responsible for the arrangement of the scenes. The cast was as follows. Helen Winton, Miss C. M. Francis; David Wright (Mickey), Mr J. A- Kennedy; Julia Britton, Mrs J. A. Kennedy; Armand Vaughan, Mr R. Thorne, Chalies. Mr J. B. Kent Johnston; Bristow, Mr Evan Jaine; Jenny, Miss P. Turner. The next reading, Edward Wooll s. outstanding play “Libel,” at the_ Society’s HaH, Bannister Street, on Wednesday, November 24, is eagerly awaited. The final reading of the season will take place on December 8.