ST. PETER’S PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20262, 3 August 1937, Page 8

ST. PETER’S PLAYERS.

“THESE PRETTY THINGS.’* AN AMUSING COMEDY. The popularity of St. Peter’s Players was again evidenced last night, when the Theatre Royal was crowded for their production of “ These Pretty Things,” a farcical comedy by Gertrude Jennings; practically every seat had been hooked before the production. The play Is not one of the best of its kind. It is buMt on an impossible situation —the engagement of a gawky mannequin at a high-class frock shop —but with its complications it provides much amusement, and the audience does not bother about probabilities. It all happened through a little “ white lie,” told by Clara Broome, who, when she met a fascinating stranger (Harvey Mayfield) at a I cinema, told him that her name was | Susie Parsons (the name of her girl friend in , the dress establishment). When she found out that her admirer was married, things began to happen. A well-meaning friend of Harvey attempted to straighten tilings out, and, seeking a*girl by the name of Parsons, got hold of tlie wrong one (tlie real Susie), gave her money and set her 'up in an expensive hotel. Susie, i longing for romance and her bead j filled with cinema ideas of love, was willing to lake all that was offered her, land there were many funny complica- | tions before things were straightened out and the two girls found happiness. Work cf the Cast. The members of the cast did excellent work, though the play was taken at far too deliberate a pace; farce, to be fully effective, must be rattled through. Miss Jean Laurenson, as Susie Parsons, played too much on one note perhaps, hut gave tiie audience plenty to laugh at in her longings, and her absurd posturing. She had a particularly good carrying voice. Dean Weatherhog was very amusing as a rather ‘‘ silly ass ” who found himself in some very embarrassing situations, and Mr Martin Sul- | livan also gave a good performance as the friend whose efforts to help things out only led to further complications, though Ihe part should have been played much more briskly. Mrs Weatherhog was very convincing as the wife who thought her hus!hand was unfaithful lo her, and Mrs [though the role could have been made more colourful. Good work was also I done by Miss Roma Garratt as the I head of the dress salon; Mr Alafi liul, jas Ihe young lover; Miss Gwen 1 Sim cock and Mrs A. Ilill ns the “catty” j mannequins; Miss Dawn Bogerson, as I Lady Cecily Brent; and Miss Beatrice jSt. Paul as a French maid. ! A mannequin parade was a feature of the production, some lovely frocks being displayed by Eileen Allison, Mavis Hollows, Kathleen Green, Jessie Morgan, Eileen Carr and Estelle SI. Paul. Mrs F. Lawrence and Miss Quinn were wardrobe mistresses. The play was adequately mounted, and lighting effects were provided by ltev. Paul Sergei. Dean Weatherhog was the producer, and Messrs Alan Hill and A. R. Turnwald were stage The Hamilton Orphans’ Orchestra, under Ihe direction of Mr W. King, provided incidental music in good t style,