AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13007, 8 January 1908, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

•■' BREWSTEIVS MILLIONS." There are two points which strike, one most- strongly on Mooing "Jircwstcr s Millions'* for tho first tinio as produced at the Thcwtro Royal ltmt night by Mr J. C. Williamson's company. The first of these is woiidcr—nux«?d largely witii pleasure—that, a dramatic author has managed to give us a play so far re- ! mov«t from tie stereotyped and weil- ! worn. lines, and ■tlie* second is that the i sequence of action of the play is so i natural that the went* come out. pro- | cisdy as they would in reel life. It- is so rare nowadays to find a pley <>9™bining those two very great essentials, for success, that when such an one comes along it is exewdingly welcome. To the latter attribute tho really magnificent acting—the true crt which conceals an—of all engaged in the production, from the principals who work out tlio main features of the play to thouo who are merely subsidiary, contributed largely. Each character strongly and markedly drawn as it is by the'aurhor, found its fitting representative who was just the ideal one for tho part. The piece, irdoed. ts. so natural that one forgets that l \-, l& merely stag* pictures passing like shadows, and tbo idoa. grows that- the quaint conceit leavened in ite humour by a cliarming low idyll is a reality, something with which those who arc witnessing it are personally identified, and so interest in the working out. of the play prows in intensity irom the first, act, which is of the character of a prologue, to tho final scene, where the millionaire «*a<nds poor artd penniless amidst tho ruin of his household gods. Such, in brw>f. is tho character of the play. As to Jte interpretation, it has already been points out that those engaged in it are most admirably suited to pourtrnying the various characters. Mrs Kobert Rroufjh —who recoivexi a raoat eTrthuraastie welcome, one which must have shown her that she is not forgotten here—was admirable m her conception of the loveable part of Mrs Dan De Mill*. The character is one which requires great care and artistic ability to depict. It is that of a society woman who i* unspoiled, and whose friendship is full of heartiness and goodwill. Mrs Brotigh mndo ail the little points which go to make up the part, with nruch naturalness, and yet with all tho strength necessary. She never gave a touch too much, but throughout tho play the character etood out with mnch distinctivenotss. Quite a foil to this is the charming character of Peggy, admirably played j by Miss Nellie Calvin. This is tho | heroine of the little love romance which so charmingly diversifies the piece, and Mies Calvin enacted her part in it with much erureet-ness and grace, her scenes with Monty Brewsu-r beinii played with much unaffected pathon Of a different type is that of Janice Armstrong, the modern girl, who rivals hor brothers at athletic exercieca, calls her male friends "old chap," and is bail fellow well met with the assemblage of young fellows known as th*» poor sons* of the rich. This was admirably interpreted by Miss Nellie Ferguson, who deserves great praiso for her really excellent performance. Thero was not a trace of exaggeration, though the port is on© which offers considerable temptations in that direction, j Mia Mary Hnngerford was good in the somewhat thankless part of Barbara Drew, and Misses Lewis and Marshall were also successful in _tbeir respective characters. Mr Kingston* Monty Brewster was quite a revelation. After seeing him in a series of roW utterly and totally distinct in charao- I ter from hie present one. his interpretation of the difficult part of Monty i Brewstor, a dashing light comedy role, j camo ac a surprise. That lie had thoroughly grasped the idea of the author was evident, end his pourtraya' of the- different phases of the character, each totally distinct, wee an admirable piece of acting. Mr Kingston, brought out very strongly the feelings of a man fettered with such strange oonditionf and forced to conceal his true instincts even from the girl ho loves. It wes a roalry fine display of clever character acting, adniirablv conceived and artieticalry worked out. The scene in th« last act was notably full of comedy power. Tho other male character" were somewhat subsidiary, but they were excellently played by Messr* Wil ley, Maokay. Edwards, and , Gregan McMahon. The latter wae csj»ccially good in his despair at the spendthrift habits of his friend, and Mr "Willey was excellent in the little pathetic scene where ho confesses to sneculatod .with his friend's money. Tho setting of tho piece was magnificent. Such a fin© scene as that of the hall of Brewster's honso in tho first act has rarely been seem here. 1 The yacht ecene was quite startling in I its reality, which wae added to by the ' flying cloud effects, and the whol*. i scene was a great triumph of stage mechanism. The piece will be repeated to night.

OPERA HOUSE. The large aiid. appreciative anthence Trhich last iricht fiUod the Opena House was an eToqnoc.t teetiraony of the ipopiikwity p£ the progrunsne ,at present being submitted by Pullers' Va/uderolle Company. The renoua items ■mere exeeedinjjly weH received, and enonres iverc demanded. Th© eamo programme will be given to-niidi't.

WEffPS FTCTURM3. West's Pictures, winch nre eaid to be , bigger, brighter, ami better than before. wiD commence a season at th« Theatre Royal on the 15th. met. Since Mr West wie last here he boe added a large number of most in<tereE>ting Ghat toiiis pictures. Th<?6© include a mini-bc-r of prcsemtmenis of p-facee of in* terest, and aJeo derrer humorous films. In addition- to th«> pit*ur<?e there v?Bl be a pArfomnaace by Dβ Groin's VioeE«ga[ Bend. The band bringp with it from Australia a very high ropu/tat-ion. In addition to the evening porfonnanoes there will be Sotflinlay matinees.

WAIXONI PARK. A free rido on the steam merry-go-round is promised to ©very boy or giri ■nsitins AVaanoni Pork to-day. There will b© a Punch and Judy chow and races for firework* and A todies' guessing com/petition for a pot pkint will also be hold. To-morrow msb-fc there will be a dispdey of frreworke in addition +o the Maori wot scone. A concert by piorrons with g>'mneetic items and clown acte wiU be givon before the ftronrorks commence, .-Tjd Signor Nogroe baod wiU pley during tho coming. Tho Wainon,i Go!a wiß bo hold on Thursday January 16th, when a prosmmmo of Rports flod anwieemente unJI b© given