"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES."

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3019, 5 March 1917, Page 7

"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES."

A SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL "What Happened to Jones/' a farcical comedy by Ceo. Broadhurst. Cast— ,loucs George Willoiihgby Ebenezer Goodly Arthur Albert Dr. Anthony Goodly. JJ.JJ. Harry Unllcy Richard Hetherley Frank Brookes Constable Holder David Jell'eison William Bigbco Maurice Coffey Henry Fuller Frederick Hoi't Mrs. Goodly Muriel Dale Cissy | inn, Addoll Marjoric Edna Seacon Helina Florence Leigh Alvinu Sturlijtiit Florence Faning Many playgoers, alter dwelling on tlio graces ol a, play about to bo produced after a term of years, have found on witnessing the, same a senso of something wanting. They may not bo able to defino what that something is, but they are fully awaro that their estimate was a little out. That was the. feeling that was experienced on Saturday evening on witnessing "What Happened to Jones," by tlio Georgo Willoughby Company, not that the jingo audience did not thoroughly enjoy tho show 1 , but 'because they' only got a whito sapphire gleam instead (if a. diamond sparkle. Tho reason is that a comedy unless it bo a soon becomes old-fashioned. There aro few things more transient than stylo in comedy writing. Mr. Willoughby probably realised this, and has made somo sort of "amende" by interpolating soveral songs and dances, which havo a certain 'unexpectedness in arrival, but wero of a light agreeable character and suitable ui every instauco to the comedy. Most of tho moro mature play-lovers will remember Georgo Broadlnirst's cheerful farce. Jones is a sporty commercial traveller who "travols for hymn books,", with playing cards as a sido line, and it is ho who butts into the domestic circle of a wizened old professor to make everyone therein supremely tniserablo or happy in a comical way. It happens that Professor Goodly is expecting a visit from.his brother, Dr. Anthony Goodly, Bishop of Ballarab, when young Dick Hetherley (who is engaged to tho professor's daughter Marjorie) persuades him to attend a prize fight. While the fight is on, the premises aro raidqd by the polico, and tho professor, after sliding down a water pipe, races home with a black eye and a heavy heart, fearful as to tho trouble his escapade is going to bring on him. Dick escapes also, and hardly havo they regained their breath, when in bursts Jones, who has also boon at tho fight. He has had a fight with a policeman, and lost tho tail of his coat. Ho wants moro clothes and shelter. Ho is given tlio latter, and when the worthy bishop's now clothes arrivo before tho owner, tho resourcoful Jones steps into them, and grasping tho situation, passes himself off as the bishof,, fondly .embraces Mrs. Goodly, kisses her two pretty daughters, and spoons tho amorous Alvina Starlight (who has been corresponding with tho bishop for twenty years), whilst tho professor and' Dick aro unable to say a word because of their participation in tho disgraceful escapade. When the real bishop does arrive Jones passes him off as tho escaped lunatic from the-, sanatorium next door, which he is able to do as ho of the cloth is found wandering round in a blanket only looking for tho clothes Jones is wearing. Eventually, .tho professor and Dick can stand it no longer, and givo Jones away and restore tho_ bishoP i to his own, whilst Jones retires smilingly into a bagman once more, having at least niado one good pal in Cissy, tho professor's liveliest bud.

Mr. Georgo Willoughby's Jones has not changed a hair sinco it jwas first seen hero somo sixteen years ago. He is imotious, glib-tougued, and alert, behind his beaming ponderosity, and all tho laughs came right back iii tho old spots. Tho supporting company is fairly adequate Miss June Addell as Cissy is bright, piquant and pretty, more iii a vaudevillo than any other sense, nnd her scenes with Jones were capitally done. Her voico is a valuable.asset, but her "Haunting Melody" has no haunt about anything to it. Miss Marjorio Goodly .was well played by Miss Edna Seaton, who is a fluffyhaired ycanier for Browning and Shelley, but who mixes romance with highkicking in judicious proportion. Miss Muriel Dalo is capitally suited as the prosy Mrs. Goodly; Mi>s Florence Fanmg was admirably comic as.tho gushing Alvina. Mr. Halley was sound as the Bishop; Mr. Arthur Albert made a pathetio figure as tho weary, worried little Professor, and Mr. Frank Brookes showed fine spirit and a serviceable baritone voico as Richard Hethcrloy. The best of tho introduced numbers were "Order Wedding Bells for Two," and the ludicrous travesty on "Tho Miserere" duet from "II i'rovatoro "