To the growing list of remarkable shows which local amateur actors have recently been producing must be added that presented on Wednesday by the A.D.C. of "Night Must Fall," for the Lyceum Theatre. Rarely has better cast been selected, and not often, hae it acquitted itself so well as it did at the Jarst performance. The honours go to Mr. W. H. ISpring, Miss Joyce Middleton, and Mrs. Pat Merritt. Mfr. Spring makes, itis believed, his first appearance on the local stage and his performance was for an amateur a veritable tour de Jjorce. Entrusted with a great deal of emotional facting, which the average amateur can so easily Dbungle, he at no time sounded a false note and his work was just about as polished as any-{thing seen recently on the local stage. Much the same may be said of Miss Joyer Middleton, who was not only excellently east, but has shown very considerable improvement since she last appeared in the Lyceum Theatre, Her facting throughout was convincing, and she is Imest warmly to be congratulated on her performance. Mrs. Merritt's character study of the Ityrannous old woman completely taken in. by the suavity of the man who was to murder her, Jgave a portrayal of fear in the last scene but tone which was most thrilling, while the rest of {the cast, though they must remain unmentioned, may rest assured that their efforts were well appreciated. 1t is indeed gratifying to watch this, [continued improvement in the quality of acting itor which local amateurs are responsible. It is, {to be found not only in the productions for which the A.D.C. is responsible, but those which have been arranged by other talented [groups of amateurs, and the question may be tasked whether it is not the modified form of [competition which is thus being offered which is bringing all that is best out of the talented people taking part. 1f that is the case it is all {to the good, for there is undoubtedly taking place in Shanghai a greater appreciation of the fogitimate stage than there has been for some years past. That will continue 20 long as stich excellent fare as that provided in recent shows is continued, and it is to be hoped that the ADE. as well as the independent groups will persevere along the lines they are at present following, for in them is to be found the best means of furthering the avt The Old, Old Game The report from London, 10 the effect that Jrumours from German sources are sedulously facing spread to the effect that the Allies are planning to violate Holland's neutrality, gives lout ancther example of the manner in which the Reich sticks so closely to its old technique. The Allies are going to do nothing of the sort, the obvious reason that they are by no means anxious to do anything which might Jatienate neutral sympathy from them inthe first instance, or to extend their military commitments unnecessarily in the second. When, the [round terms in which President Roosevelt has Jdcnounced the invasion of Denmark and Nor. lay by the Germans is remembered, it must be plain to all thinking people that the last thing the: Allies woud seck to do would be to bring laowin the same condemnation upon their own heads. There are times when moral considerations completely outweigh purely material. This is one of them. German behaviour in this Jmatter must always Ya suspected as preparing Ithe way for precisely sch an act on the part lof the Reich as it claims the Allies are contemplating, and in this connection the German Government has so often "signalled its punches" that the only matter of speculation concerning what is likely to happen to the Lowlands is as ito when Herr Hitler will decide to strike, That, he will do so may be taken for granted, for Herr Miler is prone rather to the rough and ready methods of the house painter than to the finesse which is so necessary at the present time if some of the reproach, which at present sticks to him so patently, ts not Wy besmirch the Ais. That the Allies will zo to the assistance of the Lowlands, if they are attacked, and request has already been made known' by the declara~ tions of the heads of both allied gov but neither of them is so foolish as to take any Ietep which would incur for them the severe leriticism of there nations with whom. they KGesire {0 be on the best possible of relationships. There is only one factor which may lead Herr Hitler to hold nis hand, and that is the fact. which thas £0 clearly been proved in Norway, hat the extension of Germim activities makes ithe Reich more et-at-able, and the more does that the better will the Allies be pleased.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.