Mexborough and Swinton Times January 18, 1935
“Wolf”
It is a pity that on grounds of expense the Conisborough Players were only able to give one performance of this play.
The church hall was so well Phil last night that I had the impression that sufficient public support was forthcoming to one at least one more performance of such an entertaining melodrama. And I am sure that those who were present last night would go away well satisfied with us under reach by very young society
The production was creditable from many points of view. Apart from the quality of the acting, which was on the whole satisfactory, and often very good, the production was ably stage, and more than usual care and skill and been lavished on the setting and lighting
The plot, though not particularly original, held the interest by the atmosphere of suspense with which it was permeated. It deals with the adventures of an English touring party will stumble into the isolated mountain then of a Bulgarian “Bluebeard”
In the sinister role of Dr Melentzi, Fred Young contrived to play the cold-blooded murderer in horrific colours. Is Villa’s accent was well maintained, and a bloodcurdling suavity of his manner in the fire’s act was specially convincing
John Kirk, as the breezy Sir James Lambert, cleverly provided light relief when this threatened to get out of hand. Mr Kirk like May Strachan in the role of Christine, was less consciously histrionic than the other members of the cast, though Jean Twelves (Lady Lambert) heard on the side of restraint, but otherwise the justice to her part
Mr Strachan’s perfect ease and lack of self-consciousness were outstanding characteristics of a finished study
Albert Shelton would have been a more effective Guy Lockyer if he had shown more fire.
The uncles and voiceless Vladimir was played with sinister effect by P.M.Walsh or (the producer), Herbert Fowler sketched in neat little Cockney cameo as Cox, and Mary Walshaw mirrored the wordless part of Vranyer with success
In addition to the players (who constructed the settings themselves), the stage manager Mr Tom Smethurst, and electrician, Mr Kilner Bateson, deserve a word of praise for their part in a pleasing production