"A MESSAGE FROM MARS."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1050, 13 February 1911, Page 6

" A MESSAGE FROM MARS."

"A Message from Mars," a comedy in three acts, by' Robert Ganthony. CastHorace Parker ..'.!-..;..-'Harry Plimmer The Messenger .- Eeynolds Dennirton A Tramp .:.....„ S. A.. Fitigcrald Arthur, Dicey .....„.,.:. W. E.-Hunter Policeman:"..-. Charles Throsby Joe ........;.........:..., .:...V......... Paul Latham Miss Parker Miss Alico Deorwyn Mrs. Clarence ;...•.;;' Miss Beatrice Usher Minniq ...„ ; Miss Elsie Parkce Minnie .Templer :.' Miss Litette Parkcs

Fow comedies could be mentioned offhand which, having been before the publio for. a-'decade, could -be revived with such a.;.certainty of success as Robert Ganthony's "A->iles'sage from Mars."- Tho basic idea of tho play, , that an inhabitant of. Mars should be'dispatched' to the earth to. preach altruism to ope who is the-very embodiment of selfishh'essi' was' a, bright and .daring one; that in enforcing the lesson he should utilise' light comedy, instead of drama,™ wasCwjse;-] and tnat it should bo so smartly written,! and soundly constructed is (further evidence of the author's excellent craftsmanship. Tho chief charm of. "A Message from Mars".lies.in that, whilst itincul-c-tes a lesson that, everyone is coriscious mankind needs (and as a rule, bo it regretfully remarked, neglects); it is so skiliully clothed in comedy that it keeps an audience bubbling >rith • amusement. The-excellent impression conveyed by tho Plimmer—Dcnniston Company on its last visit to Wellington was eihanced, if anything, by its ; -interpretation of ; "A Message ■ from Mars" on Saturday evening, befoie a crowded house. As that prince of egotists, Horace Parker, Mr. Harry Plimmer has never done anything better in what might :bc termed, straight comedy. Ho quite ' succeeded .in • con-ve3-ing . a . correct impression of the man's. i,thick ; crust of conceit and selfishness, and in the' street sceuo of the middle act,' where ho '> is .brought by the force '. of '.- tho . Messenger's dynamics to .a full realisation- of his shortcomings,-his comedy was .refreshingly spontaneous and bright, and his by-play and gestures .in ; association with the Jlessengcr were natural and convincing. Tho changed Horaco. Parker of .the last act was also in nice contrast to the selfish pi-ig of the earlier scenes. ■Mr. Reynolds Denniston cut a striking figurp of. tho-grim-Messenger, and delivered his lines intelligently, and with good elocutionary effect. As .Minnie Templar,. Miss Lizetto Parkes was quite charming in every respect. She looked very nico indeed, and her prepossessing personality created'a very favourable,improssion. One of the'raost grateful character parts is that of. tho tramp, played with sincerity and skill by' Mr. vS. A. Fitzgerald. His delineation .was marked by a careful attention to detail in his dress and "make up,".and there was a good deal of finish in'tho clever business introduced in the first act scene with Porker. • Miss' Alyce Debrwyn , was well suited as Aunt Martha, and Miss Beatrice Usher .lent refinement to tho minor role of Mrs. qiarence. Mr. 3V. R. Hunter was constrained in manner and speech as the •American.youth, /Arthur Dicey, and might havo given the part'a touch of national-colouring without offence to the histrionic proprieties. Mr. Paul Latham made the most of Joe the Coster, and Miss Elsie Parkes was • quite good as Minnie, the tramp's long-lost- daughter. A teaturo of. .this very satisfying production was tho marked attention given to those details,-which, unimportant in tliemselvcs, go" to enhance a performance mutemlly. .Th'o, crowd: in the street, the fine pad of psendo snow on the ground, the imitated clatter of passing fire engines, the carol-singing, and the efipcts attendant .on 'tho Messenger's electrical ' perigrinatiohs were all attended to in o- manner that reflects credit on the stago management. ■'', A Message from Mars" will bo played Main this'evcnirii;. To-morrow evening the company will appear in n-revival of Clyde Fitch's delightful comedy, "Lovers' Lane, which gave so much' genuine pleasure to, lovers of clean, wholesome plays when presented hero a few months ago'by_this combination. In this nlay t Mr. Plimmer will anpear .as the Rev. Thos. Singleton, and Miss Lizette Parkes will romp and sirig once more as "Simplicity" - Johnson. • . \ In Response to many requests the management has decided to give a matineo performance of "Lovers'-Lane" on Wednesday afternoon. It has been, pointed out that there are;many women and children residing in the out-districts who could, not possibly visit the theatre at nieht, and are anxious to seo this delightfully human play, with its jolly, children's scenes. It will bo romembered that when last in Wellington Messrs. JI. l'limmer and R. Dennislon volunteered to givp a' matinee performance in aid of Mother " Aubert's Jubilee Fund, but could not'do"so on account of the'date clashing with the fete at Newtown Park. Having still'a kindly feeling for the poor children that nestle under' tho rev. mother's kindly wing; tho management is inviting them lo bo present at Wednesday's matinee. .Invitations aro also boinj? issued to the inmate. , ! of tho Salvation Army's Children's 'Home, the Obiro Home, and those who aro able to attend from the Homo for the Aeod-Needy.- At this matineo children will be admitted to all parts of tho honse free of cliargo.