"Mary, Mary Quite Contrary"

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 52, 13 July 1928, Page 7

"Mary, Mary Quite Contrary"

1YA TO BROADCAST FOUR-ACT COMEDY

(QUITE exceptional will be the programme to be broadeast from 1YA on Wednesday evening, for it will take the form of a four-act comedy enacted in its entirety by the auckland Comedy Players with a cast of ten characters, This is an ambitious project, but with such an excellent cast as has been got together, the radio productioii, under the guidance of Mr, J. F. Montague, is certain to be very successful. The central figure of the play is Mary Westlake, a theatrical star, and the plot concerns the excitement which she caused in the quiet English village, and particularly in the house of the vicar. Listeners will thoroughly enjoy the volatile and erratic Mary, who is a great responsilibity for her manager, and the subject of a wild infatuation on the part of the vicar’s son, Geoffrey Considine. The vicar’s bachelor brother, Sir Henry Considine, just returned from India, also proves susceptible to her charms, and the complications are very amusing. Miss Myrtle Walford is taking the part of Mary Westlake, and no one better than Mr. Alan McElwain could have been chosen for the humorous role of Mr. Hobbs, Mary’s business manager. As the gallant Sir Henry Considine, Mr. J. F. Mon-

tague can be relied upon to make the most of a very important part, The role of Mrs. Considine will be filled by Miss Eva Andrews, and that of Sheila (her neice, the prospective bride of Geoffrey-until Mary came on as a disturbing factor) by Miss Una Norwood. Mr. Cyril Seaward will be the vicar, the Rev. Canon Peter Considine, and Mr. Jack Gordon will take the part of the son, Geoffrey, who has written a play and wants Mary Westlake to act it, The radio audience will also have the pleasure of meeting Miss Mimms, the energetic leader of the village girl guides, but whose name tickles the fancy of Mary. Miss A, Vennel takes this role. Mr. Geo. Hinton will act the part of Mr. Beeby, the breezy playwright who knows, just as Mr, Hobbs knows, what the public want, and has a poor opinion of Geoffrey’s play. "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" is a_ brilliant four-act comedy by Mr. St. John Ervine. Its broadcasting will provide a great treat for all listeners. Another feature of Wednesday’s programme will be a gramophone recital for which Mr. Karl Atkinson will be responsible.