A Wellington Playwright

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 10, 18 September 1931, Unnumbered Page

A Wellington Playwright

-an original drama entitled "The hild of Destiny," much of literary and ‘entertaining quality was apparent which intrigued one’s interest and encouraged the hope that New Zealand ultimately will produce playwrights who will count in the world of letters. Stimulating dialogue, acute psychology, a background of political machinations, and romance. suggested rather than described, are factors in causing the play to go ‘with vim: and yivacity, though somewhat over-lengthy in the gecond ‘last scene, Or so it seemed, but possibly this would not-be evident in presentation on.a stage with essential appurtenances... The . protagonists are President Ruckleigh, harassed by national graft abroad. and. domestic: "infelicity" at. home; Letitia, his wife, thin-lipped, soulless and: ambitious; Hugh Pfaff, the bad man; and Senator Wiffen, a kindly cynic, whose frank comments on women in general and his friend’s termagant spouse ‘in. particular add considerable wit and point to verbal construction, Skilfully limned con‘conitant., of ‘butler, housekeeper, and secretary round out the personnel, and there is. a conyincing soothsayer who" foretells, ‘with uncanny veraclty, brilliant and. tragic destiny. More of wit than of humour in the play, and much straight-out melodrama, with a strong ‘and ‘surprising climax; Senator Wiffen being martyred for his good offices in the suppression of graft, and President Buckleig! poisoned by distraught wife, whose reason totters-almost literally. before our ~ eyes. The final curtain descends on Cimmerian gloom in this-arresting contribution to theatrical literature from" the pen of Mr. Victor Lloyd, whose neyel "Son of Peter," and radio plays hive quickened attention of appreJable circle of readers among the intelligentsia of this Dominion, RLVILEGED to hear a reading of cs