THEATRE ROYAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 1420, 14 July 1884, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Crutcji and Toothpick.

Willmott's Drum-tie Company, which has liccn playing in the South with success for some months past, opened nt the Theatre

Royal on Saturday evening in an amusing comedy by Mr G. R. Sims, entitled " Crutch and Toothpick," A judicious cast of characters prod need an interesting and highly amusing performance, which provoked frequent uxpiessions both of merriment and applause from the audience. Guy Devereux, personated by Mr R. W. Rede, is the principal character in the play. He is a member of the " Crutch and Toothpick Brigade," and his wifo Holly Devereux (Miss Louise Crawford) is one of two daughters of a millionaire, Alderman Jones(Mr Arthur Herman). The latter has made his fortune by " business," and " business "is his constant cry. In the opening scene ho is found upbraiding his son in law for living on his wife's income, and their conversations prove highly amusing. Guy and his wife aro a veryloving couple ui>til tho Alderman intercepts a letter in female handwriting addressed to the former, and in which refeienco appears of visit* made to a "cottage beside the sea." Tho man of business shows the letter to tho wife, and as a result the latter leaves everything in the hands of her father. He, in a stormy intervicT. with his son-in-law, stops supplies, and recommends Guy to go into business, (my, taking him at hi. word, starts a.s a tradesman on a very low scale, greatly to tho dHgust of the millionaire, who thereby has his prospects for tho Mayoralty ruined. Increased interest is attached to the proceedings by the anxiety of the millionaire to wed his second daughter Amy (Miss Lizzie Lawrence) to a man of business called Jellicoe (Mr James Wilkinson), while sho is deeply in love with a young and wealthy but bashful man named Cecil Leighton (Mr Frank S. Simmonds). The latter, to gain the old gentleman's consent to the hand of his daughter, attempts business in oil and tallow, and losos considerably. The progress ef their love affairs is ably presented in the first two acts, and the final scene brings ovcrything to a happy conclusion. Guy discovers that somebody personated him at the " cottago by the sen," and thus caused the troublesome letter to bo written by its occupant, a young and attractive widow. After considerable search he discovers this interested individual in Jellicoe, who is duly kicked out of the house, and peace is restored. The millionaire having now an aversion lo business, gives permission for the union of Cecil and Amy, and so ends tho story of " Crutch and Toothpick." Mr Redo played well throughout, assuming an easy-going and studied stylo which went far towards the success of tho performance. Mr Herman was good as Aldorman .lone.", and seemed very much at homo in tho part, while Mr Wilkinson made a most amusing Jellicoo. His get-up was good, and his minncr well-conceived and funny throughout. Mr Simmonds gave an excellent representation of a bashful young swell deeply in love, and rendered foolish by an effort to dabble in business (if which he knows nothing) at the suggestion of his adored one. Mr Mack D. Alexander, who appeared as McFibbin., wan a gentle- . man's servant, who caused much laughter by his obesity and absurd mannerism. As Dolly Devereux, Miss Crawford played wel'j boing graceful and natural both in scenes of happiness and scones of misery, in each of which she took a prominent part. Miss Lawrence as Amy Johns gavo a good personation of the young lady very anxious to be married, whoso father is desirous that sho should marry somebody else, which she, of course, will not. Miss Lena Watt appeared as Lady Pennicuick, Mr C. W. Marter as Jubbins, and Mr E. D. Ross as an assistant. The whole performance was very entertaining, and was at intervals greeted with marks of approval The farce, " A Ticket of Leave," was subsequently played, and proved very amusing. The characters were represented by Messrs J. Wilkinson, H. Teece, R. W. Rede, C. W. Marter, Miss Amy Johns, and others. A similar programme has been prepared for this evening.