JANE"

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 584, 12 August 1909, Page 6

JANE"

MOUNTEBANK -DRAMATIC COMPANY, i "Jane,'.' a farcical comedy in three: acts. iOast:— Mr. Charles Shackleton:.... Mr. Prank Lampcn Mr. Michael Kershaw ... Mr. G. Edward Porter ■ Mr.. William .Tipson Sir. Leo do Chateau. Mr. Pixton.... 1. Mr. Vivian Rhind ! Claude ......'. Mr. D.-Isaacs ; Mrs/Chadmclj 'Miss Alice .Quirk - i Mrs. Pixtoh Miss Gertrude Nanncstad i Lucy Miss Kathleen Evensen > Jane Miss Mollie Marshall | ; Not. since'the days of Myra Kemble have Iwe been allowed the opportunity of enjoying ja hearty laugh;at the hilarious absurdities :of that delightfully-funny comedy "Jane" '(from the French), ..played ; by the MounteI bank Dramatic Company at the Opera ■House last evening to an appreciative audi-' ienoe. "Jane'.' is pure farce, and is good 'farce, because of the naturalness of its' very 'possible,, though extremely ludicrous, complications. Charles Shackleton has been, loft money which is tied up by conditions which involve marriage.' He is to receive £1000 a" year from the day he marries, and a lump sum at the; end of five years,. Being desperately pressed by his creditors while still enjoying the freedom of the single life, he evolves tho idea of Writing to his trustee in Coriiwalli' one Kershaw, Informing him that, having married, he was in a position to draw "the neoessary." The scheme works well for three years—until Mr. Kershaw announces his intention'of coming to London to remonstrate with Charley's wife on her extravagance, to which' that luckless, youth 'has attributed his own, special facility for spending'money.; Mr.,.Kershaw's arrival is lm-' mment when the comedy begins, and Charles is in despair at the situation. ' In desperation he'consults bis valet, William Tipson; ..who; the same moming has been secretly married to Jane, .the housemaid. William suggests procuring a wife for the couple of days Mr. ,is be in town, but nothiug feasible presents itself until. Charles notes: the attractiveness of Jane. She consents, to play the part without acquainting William, and does so with admirable tact up to a certain point, but imagine the • feelings of William (after being taken into the secret) seeing his. wife caressed by his master , and old Kershaw, who falls the readiest victim to her wiles. Everything is going smoothly except William's temper (which is as a subdued volcano),-when Mr. Kershaw asks to see the baby. The astonished Charles had forgotten.having mentioned the alleged "'u. ■ cident" in an old letter as ah; excuse for some extra special extravagance. The. consternation his request causes is. smothered by the artful schemers, and: a baby is hired from Mrs. : Pixton, a charwoman in the neighbourhood, and once more the game proceeds; The final straw that .William finds, "too much for flesh 'and 'blood" is produced when -'be; is asked to. mind the baby. .He explains, matters to , old Kershaw, and the -whole soheme breaks down! But Jane is resourceful, and in her real character wheedles the susceptible old man into doing something for Charles, which consists of the redemption of hi 3 I debts on the condition that hie marries someone immediately; As .he is engaged to a charming girl, who graces an occasional scene, this is not difficult—and so, a glad curtain.' . ' ' ' With one 'exception the participants were amateurs, and..the performance as a whole was decidedly creditable, and local playgoers need, not have the slightest compunction in. paying the box office a visit. There were a' few misplaced cues and an occasional lull here and there in tho action (which calls, for- brisk - work), .-inseparable ' from _ a : first night, but they'did not weigh against the general merit, of .the production. The Mountebanks were assisted by Mr. Leo de Chateau, a capable professional character actor, who, as William, was the life' an 4 soul of the comedy. Givon in that it is a fat part, Mr. de Chateau, who has onlv been m Wellington a few days, did excellent , work. He was the humble menial throughout, perpetually deferring to everyone under the '-most..trying'" circumstances, -and complicating the complications delightfully in his efforts' to aid his master until the burden beoomes too great, Mr. Frank Lampen was not up to his usual good form as Charles Shackleton, but was-very entertaining in his scenes with-Kershaw and Jane. The latter part was played by Miss Mollie Marshall on rather, quiet .lines. "Her Jane was a_ rather subdued and too refined a creaturo, but she was" particularly. effective when posing as Mrs. Shackleton in the presence of Kershaw. That dense but-amiable old gentleman was capitally represented by Mr. G. Edward Porter, who succeeded in giving the part a distinct and consistent personality. Miss Alice Quirk was highly amusing as Mrs. Chadwick, and Miss Kathleen Evensen had little to do but look nice as Lucy (Charley's, fiaacee), in which she' succeeded -admirably. Miss Gertrue Nannestad made a."hit" as the irate, red-haired, muscular, Mrs. Pixton, and. was the best'of foils to her weedy consort, braimly sketched by Mr. Vivian Rhmd. Dr. D. Isaacs was at honi© as-ClaudGj tne srin-ning-buttons of the distressful household. "Jane,"'which will bo repeated this and to-morrow evening,'is being performed in aid of the Navv Leaguo and the Yictona College extension fund. A special military night is being arranged for to-monrow evening.