"LOVERS' LANE."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 964, 3 November 1910, Page 8

"LOVERS' LANE."

j PHMMER-DENNISTON COMPANY. After the perplexities which hav<j been created in some quarters by "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," Uydo. Pitch's comedy-drama "Lovers' Lane appeals to one as the return to the simple life, for it is .as clean and sweet as the dawn wind in a Devonshire springtime. Here is a play which demonstrates with much charm how a drama which calls for no intellectual exertion in its understanding, and can be said to suit the tastes of the many, may be conceived without dragging in any of the sordid elements, which form the stock-in-trade of so many writers the stage. Years of labour in the rural parish of Brentford has only served to broaden the views of the Rev. Thomas Singleton; a big, simple, sincere clergyman, whose dominant desire is to see everyone healthily happy. With the best of intentions and quite undesignedly, he forms a village club, and introduces cards and a billiard table, but his.everopen door is the jeal cause of all the trouble. He has taken in Simplicity Johnson, whose intractability has earned dismissal from the neighbouring orphanage. . Old Uncle Bill and Aunt Martha, two decent old "bodies," with a horror of the workhouse, have also found sanctuary beneath his roof, and Mrs. Woodbridge, a divorced woman with a lame child, has been received, not without protest from Mattie, the housekeeper, whose tongue obscures a warm heart. To the "minister one day comes Mary Larkin, a sweet girl, to be married to Herbert Woodbridge, the divorced 'husband of the refugee. The marriage is about to be performed in the usual way, when Mrs. Woodbridge enters and discovers her husband and his mission. Having confided the -character of the man to the minister, she begs him.to do all in his power to prevent Woodbridge ruining another lair life. On this the parson boldly refuses to marry the pan-, and makes an appeal -to Mary to think over the step. .She finally assents to wait until the springtimo before deciding. In the meantime the parson is- battling in troubled waters. The leaders of his church, a band of quaint people kith starched characters and prim ideas, smell out what they, dearly believe to be a scandal; Having, ascertained that Mrs. Woodbridge. is a divorced woman, they sauce their suspicions with vinegar, drag in Simplicity, as one who is setting the children of the village a bad example, and accuse him of neglect of duty. Sitting beneath the apple tree in -the orchard he hears the charges read by the deacon, backed by a full chorus of feline prudes, and Having listened quietly he thundered forth the disgust and shame he feels for»them and resigns his charge. So the gate leading .through "Lovers' Lane" to the little church that tops the neighbouring hill is nailed up, and brown autumn shivers into winter.. All things happen in the spring, and it comes about that the parish is an unhappy one without its pastor, and Mrs. Woodridge's voice is sadly missed in the singing. . On a day Brown, the jolly grocer, is commissioned to ask the minister if he will accept a call should a resolution of the oouncil be passed to that effect. ' Hβ answers,, carefully, guarding all his proteges in qualifying his acceptance. The council-issue the call, and, under the sade .of . pink apple blossoms, 'in the same orchard,-' the deputation is made " happy, the gate '" leading to "Lover's Lane" is unnailed, and the chimes 'ring out gladly. In the interval the minister, who has been thrown into touch with Merry Larkin, learns to love her and gain her love in return. Yi'oodbridge returns to find this out, and to be won back to his wife by tho agency of their child.. ■ So it is the old-fashioned ending, and what is more satisfying .to. , all? : ;,-.■.•

Mr. Harry Plimmer looks like earning fame in "parson" roles. He makes a bright, manly, clergyman, of bold-car-riage, firm convictions,.. but more .inclined for smiles than groans, and more disposed to crack a joke than produce a homily. The character is' light comedy, with an occasional dramatic moment, in both of which Sir. Plimmer was seen 'to distinct advantage. Miss Lizette. Parkes is inimitable as Simplicity Johnson, the tomboy waif who has crept so snugly into the minister's affections. There is infection in her merriment, and tears in her sadness. This clever little actress, possessed of such personal charm and talent for the stage will go far. Mrs. Brough was acceptable as Mrs. Woodbridge, and Mr. Reynolds Denniston handiec the difficult role of Herbert TVoodbridge with care and restraint. Miss Valentine Sidney made.Miss.Mattie a person of importance in the play, : and' was especially good in the, reconciliation scene in the last act. ' A clever bit'of character work is the Uncle Bill of' Mr. Henry Neville, and as Joan to his Darby. Miss Alice Beorwyn was always in the picture. Miss MjTa Wall was an ideal Mary Larkin" in" appearance) but the inflection of her pleasant voice needs' stretching; here and there. ' Its range of expression is somewhat limited. The Irish of Miss Marie le Croisette's Bridget is doubtful on occasions, but the characterisation - was generally effective. Mr. Throsby was quite good as Brown, the grocer, and clever sketches were submitted by Mr. Fitzgerald, Misses Bea&jce TFsher, and Alyce Holroyd, as the disturbed parishioners. "Lovers' Lane" will be produced up till Saturday night.

■'• 'WHAT IS HE? Messrs. Plimmer and Denniston, of the dramatic company now playing at the Opera House, received 783 replies in response to their offer of £1 Is. to the person who. sent in the best'replies to the questions who is the mysterious stranger in "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" ? arid wliat is the lesson of the play? The prize has been awarded to Mr. J. H. Bunn, of 17 Pirie Street, to whom a cheque has been forwarded. Mr. Bunn's replies were as follows: — "Who is the stranger?—The,mysterious stranger represents the eternal ego known as fhe 'higher self,' or 'better nature.' This divine spark of God is active or latent in all men and women. When overshadowed by selfishness, it' appears to be non-existent; yet is always watching and waiting to raise humanity from a condition of animalism to a state of divinity." n "What is tho Lesson of the Play?— "lie lesson of the play is to 'do unto others, what you would others should do unto you.' That is the keynote of 'The Passing of. the. Third Floor Back.' The reason of this quaint title is to prove that humanity in its arrogant selfishness, locates its better-nature in an obscure corner of the heart, as if ashamed of its fellowship with God. The shabby lqdginghouse represents the present condition of humanity on earth. It is a scathing satire on society, a practical lesson on auto-sugges-tion, and a sermon in comedy."

At 10.10 o'clock last evening a fire .broke out in a four-roomed houso at Reuben Avenno, Brooklyn, owned and occupied by Mr. C. R. Pearce. ' The Brooklyn Fire Brigade, which was quickly on the scene, had a somewhat difficult task as'the approach to the liouso is stoop and the spot difficult of access. The lire was not subdued until tlio upper portion of the house, which is of- two storys at the back and one in front, had been considerably damaged. The City. Fire Brigade attended with tho motor,engine, but its services were not required. The building was' insured with, the Atlas Company for £250, and its contents .with. Uw- Australian Alliance Company for £100. '

The Town Clerk invites tenders for tho supply and delivery of feeder pillars for the Electric Tramways Department, and for the supply of water pipes- and fittings for the duplication of a portion of the Wainui main.