Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Monday 8 February 1943, page 4


"Interval"' Is Entertaining Play

YI7ITH Sumner Locke-Elliott's "In

" terval," the Hobart Repertory

Theatre Society has chosen a vehicle which appeals by reason of its origin-ality of theme, and which calls for capable handling of well-drawn char-acters. At the opening night at the Playhouse. Hobart, on Saturday the so-ciety upheld-the high standard it has set in previous productions, and , the, players gave intelligent and convincing interpretations of their . various roles.

Based on the truism that success doesnot always bring happiness, the play concerns the principals in the first production of a young playwright, and the scenes alternate between the star's dressing-room and a back-stage pas-sageway during the intervals. The changes brought about in the lives of the people concerned during the successful run of the play give opportunity for fine acting. In a good all-round per-formance the work of several stand out. Two newcomers, Beverley Askeland

anÜ Lesley Arnold, who have had pre-vious-theatrical experience in Launces-ton and Sydney respectively, impressed. The former as the young actress, whom success completely changes, exhibited excellent stage presence and acting abil-ity, and Miss Arnold's portrayal of Hie worldly, catty wife pf the theatre managershows .that she will be an asset to future productions by the society. Vera Dakin as the amusing and downright dresser, Marthy, assumes her role so completely that she "steals" the major-ity of the scenes in which she appears.

Patricia Rex, as the hard-boiled pub-licity girl who of all those concerned develops a more sincere and human out-look as the successful play progresses, gives a smooth characterisation, and Doh Sharp as the playwright, bewilder-ed by the results of his success on the lives of those whom it touches, im-presses by the sincerity of his work." Max. Fry; in the comedy role of "Corpsey" Kent, is a delight whenever he ap-pears, while Nita Harris as the one-time famous actress also does good work. John Bushby, Jim Harris. Bill Smith, Donald McDonald, Robert Flach, Barbara Fooks, and Marie Foster add weight to the general merit of the show, which is produced by Linus Don-nelly, with Don Sharp as associate pro-

ducer.

There was a good attendance at the opening night, and the play will be repeated tonight, tomorrow, Wednes-day, Friday, and Saturday nights, with a matinee on the last day. Members of the Seagulls sell sweets for their funds during the intervals.