"MOLLENTRAVE ON WOMEN"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 3

"MOLLENTRAVE ON WOMEN"

PERFORMANCE BY THE KELBTJRN READERS. The presentation of Alfred Sutro's delightful three-act comedy in the Masonic "Hall in Bonlcott Street last evening by the Kelburn Readers provided a very interesting and enjoyable evening for' an audienco that nearly filled the main room of the building. Tho keynote of the play may bo taken from the following sentence by Mollentrave himself: "1 wisli it to be distinctly understood that my scientific investigations notwithstanding, I still regard woman as an amiable creature." Mellentrave is a scientific investigator of tho nature of women. Ho fell in love when he was nine years old; ho married three times for the sake of his investigations (again tho illusiveness of woman), and he published a monumental treatise upon woman and how to deal witli her in every circumstance in life practically. The influence of Mollentrave and the somewhat adverse results that his teachings have upon the fortunes of his friends, who have recourse to him- in their troubles, are most amusingly shown in the course of the play, but even his wisdom gets-a shock, and that just when he is in the act of congratulating himself upon his uncanny power of managing things. A. telegram orrives announcing the engagement of a friend (Lord Contaroon) to. another lady instead of his own daughter, and unfortunately it was Mollentrave himself who had sent this friend into the neighbourhood of the lady to flirt with her so that the jealousy of his daughter might be aroused. The way in whidb. he retrieves himself is quite masterly and worthy of so subtle a strategist. Mr. H. E. Nicholb, who read the part of Mollentrave, gave a most delightful interpretation of the part of this profound interpreter of women—ono that it would be difficult to see excelled. Facial expression, gestures, intonations, and- inflections of the voice were all v.sed with the utmost 'understanding, and "Mollentrave" must surelv rank as being one of the most artistic of Mr. Nic'holl's many performances in Wellington. Lady Claude Dernham, Mollentrave's daughter, who, being a widow, is a dangerous quantity, was-taken bv.Mrs. Baldwin. The part of Sir Joseph Balsted, K.C., M.P., whose matrimonial affairs become greatly tangled under the influence and teaching of Mollentrave, was well taken by Mr. W. Siram,.and that of Everard Swenboys (his nephew), who is in love with Sir Joseph's ward Margaret Messilent, was read by Mr. E. Lawson. Mr. E. S. Baldwin took the character of Lord Contaroon, Mr. W. JL Page that of Mollentrave's secretary, Mr. Noyes that of hir Joseph's clerk. Miss L. Vickermnn took the .part of Margaret Messilent (Sir Joseph's ward), who becomes engaged to Sir Joseph through an oversight on the part of Mr. Mollentrave. How she and Sir Joseph become disengaged and sorted out with their true affinities makes the play. Miss M. E. Kennedy played the part of Miss Treable, Margarets companion, and Miss M. Nicholts that of Mrs. Martelli, Sir Joseph's housekeeper. Mrs. Coleridge read the stage directions. The reading of the play was much enhanced by the overture and incidental music played by a small orchestra arranged by Miss Grace Kennedy. The proceeds resulting from the reading are to go towards The Terrace Day at the Wei- I lihgton Red Cross Shop. I