“CHARLEY’S AUNT”

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20955, 7 November 1939, Page 11

“CHARLEY’S AUNT”

VERY MERRY COMEDY LARGE AUDIENCE DELIGHTED Rarely does such whole-hearted laughter ring through a Hamilton theatre as was heard in the Theatre Royal last night, when “Charley’s Aunt” was staged by the Celebrity Comedy Company, under the management of Mr J. Murray Gibbes, and headed by Mr Don Nicol, the wellknown comedian. The theatre was crowded, and right through the performance the audience chuckled or broke into loud guffaws as the merry story unfolded. “Charley’s Aunt” has certainly worn well, for when one saw the manner in which it was received last night it was difficult to realise that the same play had been “sure box office” for many years. Probably the older members of the audience went along in a sentimental spirit and the younger ones out of curiosity, but they found that the old play appealed just as much to modern tastes as to mature ones, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The introduction of an American phrase or two, such as “You’re telling me,” has given “Charley's Aunt” quite a modern touch, while its humorous complications will cause merriment at any period. Seeing it again, one realises why it is revived every Christmas in London, and never fails to win success. It was all very gay. When Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham, gay college youths, found that the aunt of the latter, whom they had hoped would act as chaperone so that they could invite their girl friends to their rooms, failed to appear, they were at their wits’ end. But they had a brain wave—they “persuaded” Lord Fancourt-Babberley, a fellowstudent, who was interested in amateur theatricals, to impersonate the missing aunt. Then the fun began! People arrived unexpectedly, and complication followed complication, to the embarrassment of the characters but the delight of the audience. The older men, seeking the pseudoaunt’s fortune, made love to her, while the younger ones, seeing the “aunt” caressing their best girl, became very upset. The climax came with the arrival on the scene of the real aunt, accompanied by the girl with whom Lord Fancourt-Babber-ley was in love. Of course everything ended happily, but not before the audience had had a lot of fun. The play must set something of a record in the number of happy couples at the final curtain, for everybody seemed to pair off with someone. An Ideal “Charley’s Aunt” The company is an extremely strong one, comprising seasoned players who have been seen in all branches of stage work and younger players who have had experience in films as well as in stage productions. It would be difficult to find anyone better suited to play "Charley’s Aunt” than Mr Don Nicol. This clever comedian, who has been seen here in many Williamson musical comedies, got every ounce of fun out of the lady “From Brazil, where the nuts come from.” His antics, his facial expression, his general comedy work—all were excellent, and kept the audience in merry mood. Mr Nicol’s “Charley’s Aunt” will long be a pleasant memory. Mr John Fleeting and Mr Lane Patterson were the college youths to the life, with likeable personalities, breezy manners, and a natural way of acting, even in the most embarrassing situations, that was very convincing. The girls—Miss Shirley Ann Richards as Amy Spettigud, Miss Mary Duncan as Kitty Verdun, and Miss Maisie Wallace as Ela Delahay—looked charming and did all that was required of them well. Miss Leal Douglas, as the real Donna Lucia, in a more mature role, was also a success. Mr Phil Smith, an old favourite with New Zealand audiences, created much amusement as the amorous (or money-loving!) Stephen, Spettigue, and Mr Norman Barrington was delightfully “mellow” as Sir Francis Chesney. Mr Charles Albert, who has been entertaining New Zealand audiences ever since the days of the Pollard Opera Company, was very natural as Brassett, the understanding butler, and Miss Oda Larsen was pertly amusing as the maid. Altogether, this new comedy company was so successful that it should be entertaining Dominion audiences for many months. At the close of the performance Mr Don Nicol returned thanks for the enthusiastic manner in which the play had been received. “Up In Mabel’s Room” The hilarious farce “Up in Mabel’s Room,” to be staged to-night, reveals the talent of the players at its best. Crisp dialogue carries the play through a continuous stream of laughable situations, while the plot gives another opportunity for plenty of fun. The popular Australian comedian Don Nicol heads the company, and he is ably supported by Shirley Ann Richards, the Australian film actress, Maisie Wallace, John TUeeting, Charles Albert, Phil Smith, Mary Duncan, Alatea Siddons and Lane Patterson.