Selsey Players – Chichester Observer – Wednesday, 15 May 1935

“TONS OF MONEY” “SOME SELSEY PLAYERS” ENTERTAIN. Countless audiences have laughed at the adventures of Aubrey Henry Maitland Allington, the central figure of “TONS OF MONEY,” but none have followed with keener enjoyment than the patrons assembled at “The Pavilion,” Selsey, on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, when a local band of amateurs who styled themselves “Some Selsey Players,” did full justice to the evergreen Aldwych farce. It was gratifying that they were able to draw such good houses for the presentations were in aid of the funds of the National Life-Boat Institution. Colonel W. G. Moore displayed all the versatility that the portrayal of Aubrey Allington demands, ably aided and abetted by Eva K. Hardy, as Louise Allington, the wife, whose "ideas” of ways and means to retrieve the family fortune by the suitable acquisition of the legacy of a relative, usually calls for the sudden demise of a perfectly sound but impecunious husband. Both kept the laughter provoking situations moving along easy lines, and did not make the fatal mistake of trying to force the humour. Peggy Moore, as Miss Benita Mullett, had excellent opportunities to maintain the flow of laughter and from the outset one was left in no doubt that the part was in capable hands. Phyllida Johnson made a charming Jean Everard, and acted welt. In the small but very important part of Giles the gardener, J. A. Fletcher proved to be perfectly at home, with a nice regard to those timely entrances which never fail to raise a laugh. N. R. Hammond, as James Chesterman, a solicitor, acted freely in spells, and with conviction, but at other times he seemed to become suddenly conscious that he was playing a part and turn too rigid even for a legal adviser. Sprules, the butler, whether plotting for a share of the legacy, or just in his capacity as a servant to the Allincton family, gained a faithful portrayal by E. A. Swindells, especially noteworthy in the later stages of the play. A scene with Simpson, the parlourmaid, revealed the true capabilities of Joyce Richards, who carried off the part extremely well. F. W. Owens, as Henry, Sprules’ brother, and the pseudo George Maitland, with H. H. Botting as the one and only George Maitland, American accent and all. added to the fun and completed a well selected cast. Every praise is due to Mrs. G. F. Hardy, the producer, and others who worked so admirably behind the scenes, including R. W. Smith, stage manager, who also supplied the effects, with J. Tupper and F. W. Phipps. The scenery, which was striking, was supplied and erected by Ronald H. Smith and the stage furniture was supplied by A. Triggs, of Chichester. A telephone was also kindly lent by the G.P.O.