ENTERTAINMENTS. "BREWSTER'S MILLIONS" COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS. "BREWSTER'S MILLIONS" COMPANY.

- Mr. J. C. Williamson's new comedy company opened a season at the Opera Housa last evening. There was a large audience w that enjoyed itself thoroughly. The piece was "Brewster's Millions," a four-adt adaptation, by W. Smith and B. Ongloy, of the American novel of the same name by G. B. M'Gutcheori. The book is based on an ingenious idea, wittily developed. Montgomery Brewster, havipg inherited thousands, is prqffered an inheritance of millions if ho divests himself of every doit and-tit-tle of his earlier fortune. Tho task is moro complicated than it seems. Speculations undertaken as bad, in order to, lose money, unexpectedly turn out good ; and the friends who aro asked to assist in spending, shocked at the wastefulness which they cannot b6 permitted to comprehend, do their best to save Browster's money. There is a limit of time j aud Brewster haß always tho fear that he may nave thrown away the small fortune without, gaining tho great one. At the last moment', when victory seems ■ assured, £10,000 is dropped into his ' Unwilling hands. With a supreme effort tins final misfortune is, evaded ; and Brewster finishes a winner of millions by his Hare length. The play is a good piece of work, full of action; and the topsy-turvy motive supplies plenty of comio incident. The first act fills the stage with a lively company in the hall, of Brewster's house. There the new situation is exposed to him by a rather long-wintied lawyer. In the second act his troubles begin. He has gone into business in order to lose money quickly ; aud his methods and endeavours are the occasion of some really. good comedy. Tho third act is placed on the 'deck of a' yacht. In the fourth 1 he returns home, and tho sacrifice is consummated. The sotting of the third act—representing a practicable vessel with real fittings, a lighthouse, aud night sky effects, employs stage mcchanisrri with unusual cleverness. A storm is added ; and the scene oscillates , to 'match reality. The result is theatrically impressive) and in the nautical aspect rather funny. There are three- factors to reckon with on such occasions : the jpiece, the company, and the performance. Last night the piece was' considerably better than tho comp&iiy, and the company was a good deal better 'than the performance. "Brewster's Millions" lias quite enough comedy merit to bo taken as it stands and played realistically. Ihe present performance ventures too far in the direction of farce. The gallery play suits a gallery audience ; and tlio box-offico may ptove tiiat this is the kind of audience the company" meets. Nevertheless we cannot commend the artistic instinct of Mr. James W. Hasrlitt, under whose direction, the play is given. - ' . Mr. Thomas Kingston, who 'played the leading part of Montsjomnry Brewstpr, was most natural in the second act. At some points elsewhere he converted the hero into a guy, and was applauded for it. Some 0? the other' performers showed a similar tendency; and some happily did hot, The company generally iB adequata, but there was no work, of remarkable merit - The, staging and dressing generally, wore attractive ; and the heavy cast qf characters kept the piece moving all the time. - Mrs. Kobert Brough, playing! Mrs. Pan de.MiJle, .was warmly W-', corned. - *:t- ~ .? : " - "Brevrster'B Millions" ~ haft so many features of interest, often well displayed, and supplies, so miich good iuu'. that it is certain to be well supported by tho Wellington public. . * \ . • . FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. As 'usual, the Theatre, Royal was full again last night, and Fuller 5 Entertainers wero as entertaining as ever, -All the "turns" -were appreciated, to the full, and the programme was enjoyablo i throughout. A number of firsti appear--ances are announced for to-night, including Will James, tho English banjoist ; Miss Malvena Moore, Australian soubretto,.and Gildea, the "double' Voice"' $inger. ■ „ > THE ROYAL PICTURES. Full housos are tho rule ut His Majesty's Theatre, and tho Royal ' Pictures are much appreciated. On . Saturday there will be a matinee, and a present will ' be given to every child ;who tt- ' tends. A complete change of programme will bs mado in tho evening. A special matineo will be held to-mor-row afternoon, when, every child attending the performance will receive a present. On Saturday evening a complete chango of programme will !be. given, "The Pirates" and '-'The Plank" forming ths two star subjects of the entertainment. The Limerick competitions closes on Saturday night. WONDERLAND. Th« attractions ,of Vfondeflancl - ar* still appreciated by visitov Tp-mor- ' row evening another fireworks disp.lay, illustrative of the bombardment ' of Alexandria, will be given by 3Tr. Bick- . erton. \ __.)... .-' ■