THE FRENCH MAID.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 7, 10 January 1899, Page 2

THE FRENCH MAID.

A strong premonition that 'The French Maid' would prove distinctly superior to the usual run of musical comedies had evidently firmly impressed itself on the minds of local playgoers, for an enormous 'first night' audience assembled last evening to witness the initial production of the piece in Auckland. And it may safely be said that not one. of the vast assemblage which crowded the Opera House but went home still shaking and sore with laughter, and with enough pretty music running in his or her head to keep them humming lor a month.

'The French Maid' is of a truth a capital piece of work, and leaves an impression of distinct cleverness behind it. It is not merely a wild absurdity at which one laughs one knows not why.- It is a well constructed farcical comedy, set to music. The situations, which are ingenious and irresistibly funny, are far more reasonable than is usually the case, and the dialogue, always bright and amusing, not infrequently achieves a binlliance and sparkle which might well be envied by comedies of the Miss Brown type. It is in brief a really excellent entertainment whichever way you take it, and is we venture to say the strongest card Mr Tom Pollard has played for some time. Unquestionably a trump, and one that will take the trick. The story of 'The French Maid ' was sketched out in yesterday's issue, and there is therefore no need to recapitulate it now. One can pass on at once to the performance and the individual members of the company.

It may seem discourteous to tempararily pass over the ladies, but it would be a flagrant injustice not ta accord Mr Harry Quealy the premier position. His performance of the English waiter was not merely the very best thing Mr Quealy has ever done; it was as fine a piece of low comedy character acting as has ever been seen on this side; a piece of well considered, clever, conscientious work, which places him on a very high level indeed in his profession. Usually Mr Quealy has an apparently unconquerable tendency to overact, and a leaning to buffoonery. No doubt in realising the exquisite comic possibilities of the waiter, he saw there was no need for over - assertion, the part being one which mii?t take the audience by storm if adequately played. And as has been said, Mr Quealy's performance is more than adequate; it is immense. From the moment of his first entry he keeps the audience in a simmer Of merriment, a simmer which boils violently over into uncontrollable laughter every few minutes. It is impossible, to praise too highly the care he has lavished on the preparation of this most'admirable bit of fooling. It is art in its own way, and good art of the comedy, especially in act one, which greeted the young actor from time to time were never more worthily bestowed. His dancing was a feature of the comedy, especially in act one, and no one who heard and saw his incomparable singing of 'I 'Appened To Be There' and 'Don't Jump at Your Conclusions,' will forget them easily. The facial play, blankness, melting into humour, were quite irresistible comic, and wonderfully clever. If there was nothing else in the play but this waiter, 'The French Maid' would be well worth seeing, and seeing more than once to boot.

But as a matter of fact there are several capital parts, while the back ground is agreeably filled with pretty music, bright faces and graceful dancing. Miss Gertie Campion makes the most out of the title role, and Suzette is unquestionably a fascinating little maiden. Her great song 'What Did He Take Me For ' is capital, and was admirably sung, gaining double and treble encores. 'Only a Penny,' a comic song with one pathetic, verse was also vigorously applauded. Alf Stevens again proves himself a capital actor, and scored conspicuously as a jolly jack tar. His voice is, however, for the time gone, and it is not kind to entrust him with a heavy ballad such as was given him last eveuing.

Clever Mr Percy had not much chance to display his powers as a comedian as the Admiral, but he probably managed to get more out of the part than anyone else would have done. Mr Fitts looked the naval hero to perfection, and sang several fine ballads with acceptance. The song 'Victory' is by a New Zealand composer. Miss Maud Beatty's splendid stage presence fitted her admirably for the role of the wife of the Admiral, and her sister May loked pretty and sang nicely as Dorothy.

With the exception of Camembert the other parts were all commendably filled, and the comedy went with surprising dash and finish from rise to fall of curtain. Nothing better worth seeing has been put on the Auckland boards for some time. That is our verdict in a sentence.

'The French Maid' will be repeated to-night and until further notice.