THE BROUGH SEASON,

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1902, Page 2

THE BROUGH SEASON,

"THE TYRANNY OJb 1 TEAKS."

"Mrs Dane's Defence" was staged at the Opera House ior the last time'last evening before a large .audience. The interpretation was as satisfactory as on previous occasions and applause was frequent. To-night iladden Chambers' comedy "The Tyranny oi Tears" will be presented.

This comedy, wiiie.ii achieved great success ill America as well us in England, is pronounced a great advance on any of Mr. Chambers' other works—excellent as some of them, notably "'Captain Swift" and "The idler" were. "The Tyranny of Tears" does not, however, at all resemble either of these plays, being' pure comedy. Only five characters are introduced, but they would appear to be perfect. A short sketch of the plot will be of interest. The story is cleverly unfolded. Clement Parbury, a famous and distinguished novelist, by marriage, has given up all his bachelor friends, his club life, his everything, and settled down to the companionship of a charming wife— and his bookwork. in fact, his independence has gone, for the devoted wife has fairly wept him into subjection. In addition to his devoted wife he has a devoted and astute lady secretary in Miss Clara Woodward, whom he has added to the household in deference to Mrs. Parbury's wishes. "We are first introduced to the Parburys after they have been united for five years—five years of humdrum existence, more or less.

However, a change comes over the scene with the 'arrival of an old chum, in the person of George Gunning. Asked to take a short trip ill Gunning's yacht, Pnrbury accepts. When the wife learns of the invitation —an outing in which she is not to participate—the husband is met with a storm of tearful reproaches. Then this tearful tyrant unexpectedly catches the lady secretary kissing her husband's portrait—not because she is fond of the man, but because she pities him. Of course Mrs. Parbury's jealous nature is aroused, and the'secretary gets notice to quit immediately. Parbury, when he hears of this, not knowing the reason, refuses to back up his wife's command, unless he is told the motive. His wife declines to give it, with the result that it is Mrs. Parbury, ar,d not Mrs. Woodward, who leaves, and returns to her father's house. However, wiser counsels soon prevail, and Parbury, learning the reason of the separation, takes early opportunity of explaining matters, at the same time giving his wife a good lecture, and bringing her to her senses. Matters are further straightened out by the worldly-wise Gunning falling in love with the shrewd Miss Woodward, and asking her to marry him. So all ends happily. The story is, it will be seen, excellent, and promises capital entertainment.