“ANOTHER LANGUAGE”

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19879, 7 May 1936, Page 3

“ANOTHER LANGUAGE”

THE HAMILTON PLAYBOX. VERY FINE PRODUCTION. The Hamilton Playbox, which has some very fine productions to its credit, opened the 1936 season in the Civic Theatre last night with "An—other Language." an entertaining and interesting play by Rose Franken. The title may appear strange, but after seeing the production one realises its appropriateness for the play deals with two people—a young married woman and an idealistic boy—whose whole mental outlook is different from that of the "ordinary” people surrounding them; they speak “another language." Their kindred interests draw them together, and the boy falls deeply in love, while the woman, starving for romance, is influenced by his devotion and almost , wrecks her happiness. “When the family discovers the position there is ta very dramatic scene. but the bus—iband throws off the shackles of his relatives and shows a true under‘ ,standing of the problem, with the result that the curtain falls on the husband and wife determined to re-cap-Lure the romance they had almost lost, while the boy‘s future is assured. although—as is the way of life—he has lost an illusion. The strength 01‘ the play lies in its effective contrasts. The charming romance of the young people is set against the background of the Haliam family—common, clannish, narrow in outlook, yet very funny—with the re—sult that comedy and drama are cleverly intermingled, holding the attention of the audience throughout. An Excellent cut. The play was exceptionally well cast, each of the players fitting into the character very convincingly. A particularly pleasing feature was their diction, every word being heard distinctly. This is rare with amateurs. 'Milss Roma Garrett was a charming Stella, getting Just the right note of sincerity and sympathy into 'her work as the young wife seeing that happiness slipping from her through the interference of the family and finding. dangerous con-solatmn in the devotion of the boy. Mr Lee Foster was equally good as the husband. and was pa-r~ ticularly effective in the dramatic scenes where, throwing off the domination of his relatives. he took his stand with his wife. An outstanding performance was given by Mr Graham Absoium as Peter. It was an exceed—- ‘ ingiy difficult character to play—e. iboy overwhelmed by his first love affair, tense-1y inarti-cuiate in expressing his feelings.- yet dramatically explosive when groaded—‘but. Mr Allisolu-m made it very real, and carried the sympathy of the audience throughout. It would be difficult to imagine the Hallam family better played by ama—teurs—the mother (Mrs M. Thomas), posing as a martyr and seeking to retain control of her sons after their i marriage; the father (Mr M. Thomas). to. kindly old peacemaker; Helen (Mrs L. C. Winthrop). with a sharp tongue but with a glimmer of understanding of Stella's problems; Grace (Mrs H. Varney). easy-going and “comfortable,“ with an appreciation of the material things of life; Etta (Mrs E. Marsh). crushed by the family but eager for the happiness of her son; \Valter (Mr Leslie Takte), the inveterate practical joker; Harry (Mr W.‘ Blakeway). bad—tempered and matterof—mct; and Paul (Mr Lawrence “'il—liams). the practical business man who has no patience with his son’s artistic tastes. All played their parts. well, making a realistic picture of the t Ilallani faintly. i “The scenery was very effective, the} solid, homely dining—room of ltlrs Ilal—--lam in the first act. contrasting well with the charmingly artistic ilat of Stella in the second. It was a pity, however, that the sets look so long to change, the intervals being unduly long.

Incidental music was 'provi-ded by ‘the Hamilton Onp‘hans' Club, under the direction of Mr A, H. Savage. M - \V. Bynon Powell was stage manager, and the secretarial duties were carried 'out by Mrs C. Llnder.

The producer, Ml- Leo Foster, and :all _those associated with him are to be congratulated on one of the most successful and enjoyable stage produc—tions seen in Hanullon. “Another Language" is a delightful play. and last night it was vca‘pably directed, attractively mounted, and particularly well acted. Flnal Porformanoe To-nlght. "Another Language" will be staged for the last time to—nignt. m