AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13428, 21 May 1909, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS."

Thoro are , some plays which, from the absurdity of theii , so-called dramatic situations and utter unlikencss to anything in real life, are really humorous in a way. Such an ono is "Two Little Sailor Boys," played last night ai His Majesty's Theatre by tho Meynell: and Gunn Dramatic Company. I,t nae little claim to be considered as possessing dramatic or literary ability, and; tho characters aro crude and overdrawn to a degree, whilst what is presumably intended for comedy is weak and in parts absurd. Still it possesses that chaiacteristic so dear to British audiences —that virtue is triumphant over villainy in the end*. Tho moans by which that satisfactory ending is achieved are somewhat of a mystery, except to tho author. Hβ bos crowded into the fourth act all tie events necessary "to this laudable end without much rogaid, to tho dramatic unities, and the audience had to take a good , deal for granted as to the means by which it was arrived at. Miss Beatrice HoUoway and Miss Mabel Russell had parts somewhat reminiscent of those played; by them in "Tn'o Little Vagabonds." Both young ladies infused into their interpretations much good work, which one would have rather seen used in more artistically drawn characters. Miss Nellie Florence was somewhat colourless in the part of Mildred Grey, there being a want of forcefulnese in her acting. Miss Lillian Meyers aptwared as Lou Grey, a lady who apparently had a strong proclivity for wearing an okbo- \ I rate evening toilette in the most in- | congruous surroundings, and though J impersonating the evil genius of the ! piece, was inclined at times to overact considerably. Miss Deorwyn, in a character whose peculiarities in the matter of lovers made it doubtful which ultimately would marry—a mystery which was not properly solved even at the end of tho the part of protector to tho injured heroine with some amount of success. Mr Bentley, Oβ Captain Tregattheri, garo a vigorous impersonation of the hero, andi Mr Neville, in the character of the somewhat colourless aider and abettor of the more pronouncedly villainous female conspirator, did all that melodrama of thia peculiar type demands. Mr Atholwood. whoso fmo character acting in many parts Christ*, church playgoers will remember, was quit© thrown away in the sketchy and unsatisfactory part of Jim Royston. The other characters, which included a comic policeman and sailor/ the inevitable husband suooosed to be dead but appearing towards ihe. end to confound tho wicked woman of the play, etc., were filled with more or less success. To-night the piece will be repeater.