“AREN’T WE ALL?”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20276, 19 August 1937, Page 10

“AREN’T WE ALL?”

THE HAMILTON PLAYBOX. VERY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION. The Hamilton Playbox gave its first stage production of the season at the Civic Theatre last night, when "Aren’t We All?” a comedy by Frederick Lonsdale, was staged under Hie direction of Mr A. E. Manning. The production was a great success, the theatre being crowded and tiie performance, except for an occasional forgetfulness of lines, running very smoothly, with the result that the brilliantly-written play was keenly enjoyed. Rarely, indeed, has an audience in Hamilton proved so responsive to amateur players, flic frequent, laughs proving that tiie full point of the witty lines had been realised. “Aren't We All?” is very amusing, with an undercurrent of delightful sentiment. Margot Tatham, returning unexpectedly from a tour abroad, finds Killy Lake in her husband’s arms. His perfectly true explanation that momentary impulse is not accepted, and Hie happiness of I lie young couple is 1 seriously threatened until Lord Grenbain, a lovable old man of the world eUlh a wide knowledge of (he weaknesses of humanity, discovers that ' Margot when abroad had also had her 1 weak moment, carried away by Hie glamour of a moonlight night. He brings Margot and her husband together, tlieir love enriched by a ieeper understanding. On this framework has been hung some delightfully witty and sophisticated dialogue, with Mtcrnalely amusing and dramatic ■dluationsExcellent Work. Excellent work was done by the 1 layers, a particularly striking feature " .rather unusual with amateur produe- ' buis) being the manner in which the dage balance was maintained through- ; 'id. the grouping being very effective 1 mil giving point lo ttie dialogue. Miss ; a'/.ke Uniacke was very successful as 1 Margot, touching the right note of ' dneerity in the sentiment and seizing « •veil tiie dramatic possibilities of Ihe ( art. Mrs Zelda Fahey was delight- • ully breezy as the understanding and : nodern-minded Lady Frinton, giving 1 "•ini to some of the wittiest lines in lie play. Mrs S. Walker was so ! •harming as Kitty Lake that one could < mderstand Willie’s lapse; she played 1 villi attractive vivacity the girl who - mow what she wanted. Miss Jean 1 ’•linker made the forbidding Angela > .vnloii very real. I Mr Fred Jackson, although ho ;| a fair performance of a gem of < . part - Hie understanding old Lord • .n-iiham, an admitted rake hut very « kraldr and w ill a wad.- charity in A dim T *t ham w.<> wry well played hv Mr Fr.mk Gre.-r, whose work was J ,ud Mr M. Bni'di > was e.|iia.ly sue- j 1 l Lout in (led In next column.i I

live speaking voice. Mr David Reid caused much merriment by his clever performance as the Rev. Ernest Lvnof each player’s work being his attracton, and delivered tlie “great Aus- * tralian adjective” in a manner that 1 convulsed the audience. -Minor roles were well filled by Messrs Kenneth ! 1 Bade, J. K. Ewart and 11. J. Ferguson. ' The stage, was set very effectively', ' and the I’rorking of fix- women was ‘ attractive. Pleasing incidental music was provided by the Hamilton Trio 1 Mrs A. English (piano . Miss Margaret 1 Roe (violin) and Miss Helen Jlevwuod (’cello). ‘ I Mr Manning and those associated 1 with him are to he congratulated * upon the success of the production. 1

AFTER-THEATRE SUPPER PLEASANT HOUR SPENT. After the performance of "Aren’t We All?’’ a supper party was held by the Hamilton Playbox in ttie Centreway Rooms, providing a very pleasant wind-up to a successful production. The president of the l’laybox, Mr Malcolm Thomas, expressed satisfaction at the success of Hit* production, and thanked all who had helped in j bringing about that success. “Aren't j We All” had more than maintained j the reputation of the Playbox. They owed much to the producer, Mr A. E. Manning, whom they asked to accept, a slight token of appreciation for all that lie had done. Mr Manning said it had been a great pleasure to produce the play, and he desired to thank the east for the work they had done under great difficulties. A wonderful spirit animated the Play11ox, and as long as that spirit prevailed it would do good tilings. The plaxers had put up a very creditable performance. Mrs Xelda Fahey, on behalf of the east, made a presentation to Mrs Manning f*»r main Kindnesses reeeß.-d during rehearsals, and Mrs Tlmmas. wife of 11 1 e president, handed Mr> Manning a lovely bompiet. Musical and elocutionary items were given by Mrs C. Wilson, Mrs S. Walker and Mr I'avid Reid, ami a happy night closed with the singing | of "Auld Lang Syne” and the National J Anthem-