"THESPIANA" GOES OVER

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 1, 12 July 1935, Page 61

"THESPIANA" GOES OVER

Wellington Amateurs’ New Idea a Great Success A NEW departure for an amateur dramatic society was attempted by the Thespians, of Wellington, last week, when they presented, in their own Little Theatre, an all-original revue. The experiment. was an outstanding success, the. talent: displayed show: ing that the society is able to call. upon members of considerable ability in any branch.of theatrical work. "Thespiana," as the ‘show was called, made excellent .entertainment from the prologue. untill the final chorus and in between there were all the songs, sketches, ballets and novelty turns which: make.a revue-a feature of. the production being that the major part | /of the material used was: the original work ‘of members of the society. The .chief comedians of the evening were Messts, Redmond Phillips. and Harry Painter, both of whom are well knowa to audiences in the capital city. Mr, Phillips had the ear of his audience from the moment he first sang in the prologue, and all his items were greeted with immense enthusiasm-these included an original song and two sketches, both of them his own work, and' in one of which, a smart satire on modern conventions in playwriting, he had able assistance from Mr. Warren Toogood. The soloists were Miss Janet Stirling, who has a pleasing light soprano voice, and Mr, Martin Liddle, | whose rousing baritone songs were greeted with immense applause, ° Another member of the society whose work was evident in the reyue was Mr. Bertram Potts, who has on several ac: casions contributed articles to the "Radio Record." Mr. Potts was re- . sponsible for the words of the opening 7

and final choruses, for several of Mr. ‘Painter's songs «(the music: being written by Mr." Claude: Wade) and:for a novel sketch on the lines’ of. the bedroom scenes which are's0° common in modern "revues. ' An excellent pallet, under ‘the direction of ‘Miss Winnie’ Cooley, performed ‘well during the evening, and ‘the "ballet classique’-solemnly announced ‘on the programme, with "choreography by Winnie Cooley, to music by Grieg"

-proved to be one of the most "hilarious items of an hilarious’ even"ing. The -whole: show moved with ‘a .more-than-professional swiftness which reflected. great credit on those responsible "behind. the scenes." "Phespiana" was originally scheduled for a two-night season; but the response at the box plan was so great that it was continued for a third evening, playing to capacity houses. on every occasion,