Imagine, if you can, three full sets of merriment played against the background of a Southern California -- junk yard! If you haven't seen it (and you'll have to see it to believe it) don't miss tonight's last opportunity to get acquainted with its proprietor, Mrs. Norah Mary Feeley.
Mrs. Feeley, who's a riot in the capable hands of Mrs. Joseph A. Lamb, keeps the ashes of her late husband Pat "in his own bottle, in his own yard." You'll love her, in spite of her eccentricities, because the old gal has a heart of gold.
Her good deeds include the adoption of an orphan, Chinatown, and the opening of her house ( with "additions") to two homeless ladies. Ralph Coburn makes a cute little Chinese boy and Mrs. George Hurff is perfectly cast as a lady of faded elegance. She'll have you holding your sides as she cavorts about the stage, and your heart will go out to Mrs. Rassmussen (Joan Callahan) who is seeking escape from family troubles.
The plot becomes entangled with a tax collector, who is soundly beaten by the ladies; Mrs. Feeley's attempts to keep her nephew from the clutches of the vamp Conchita, who is brought vividly to life by Shirley Brown; and of course, young love, which is romantically depicted by Danny (Ralph V. Lahale) and Kate (Janet Steward).
The setting is overwhelmingly authentic, some of the "props" actually came from the City Dump, we are told. And wait until you get a load of Mrs. Feeley's fence. It's made of beer bottles, the first of which was laid by the lady "kinda the cornerstone" two days after she "planted" her husband.
Chalk up another hit for the Gainesville Little Theatre, for Director Diettrich, and for his hard working cast - which also included Thomas W. Hicks, who took over the role of Mr. Reynolds at the last minute and did a great job.
Mr. Reynolds, incidentally, is after Mrs. Feeley's wooden Indian, which the Little Theatre finally unearthed after a long search.
Mrs. Feeley won't part with the Indian, and you know why?
See "Suds" tonight and find out. And you had better get there early if you want a good seat!" --Jim Camp, Gainesville Daily Sun, January 31, 1950
