ENTERTAINMENTS "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS "

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 101, 26 October 1914, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS "

COMEDY OF THE KAILYARD. " Bunty Pulls the Strings" had been well heralded before it came to this city, and was seen for the first time on Saturday. Moreover, being entirely Scotch in origin and character, it appealed with force to Scotsmen. So then, it was not surprising that there was a gathering of the clans at the Grand Opera House on Saturday. Some indeed, honoured the play by appearing in the boxes in the garb of old Gaul. Still, it does not follow that because " Bunty Pulls the Strings" gave Scotsmen an opportunity (which they are always ready to seize) of showing once more their staunch loyalty to all things Scots, that the play as a play is a theatrical phenomenon. Its plot is of the slightest. Play for play there are, no doubt, many as good that have never seen and never will see production. Bunty is yet one more example of a play that proves the fallibility of the theatrical manager in gauging public taste and the uncertain character of playgoers judgment. If the theatrical manager only knew how to accurately plumb the profundities of public taste he would not be a theatrical manager for more than one year, perhaps two, for he would have then become a millionaire. " Bunty Pulls the Strings " might be a failure next week or might have proved a frost ten years ago, so fickle a thing is public taste; so hard it is to minister to; Its success, which nobody can deny, is just one of those surprises of the theatre that come once, possibly twice, about every blue moon. It is merely a little episode in the history, of the Scots village of Lintiehaugh, and the people in the play are mainly those who live in Lintiehaugh and whose mental outlook is bound by the horizon of Lintiehaugh. Over all is <ftist the depressing influences of the Kirk. Readers of J. M. Barrie will recognise these personages and scent the kailyard in " Bunty Pulls the Strings." The author, Mr. Moffatt, appears to rely upon two things for his successatmosphere' and characterisation. "Scots types he has selected for his charac'jers, and the 'sixties for his atmosphere. The first scene discovering the capable Bunty reading Brown's Sermons and her brother Rab poring fretfully over his catechism, show the first, and the scene with its drawn blinds, the horsehairseated mahogany chairs, the engravings of "The ' Punch and Judy Show" and Friths "Margate Sands" suggest the (atmosphe,re. If Mr. Moffatt has a moral somewhere concealed about this play, and if that moral should happen to bo "Too much Church," is followed by no church at all and Sabbatarianism brings in its train indifference to worship and the sacred day, then he is somewhat belated, for Scotsmen for the most part now more lightly hold the Church's ties, arid many spend the Day as they please. In fact tho pendulum has for sometime past swung the. other, way, even in Scotland, for better or worse, as may be. In "Bunty," apart from its technical merits or demerits, Mr. Moffatt depicts in dry-point, as it were, some perfectly delightful portraits of Scots folk. Bunty herself is one of those bright, capable, douce little bodies,, who are happily not peculiar to Scotland. They can "manage" men with consummate art, and what is harder still, "manage" their own sex, too. True to type, the particular Bunty in the play marries a man much inferior to her in capacity. How true it is that so many cliuckle-headed men draw winners in the great and fateful matrimonial sweepstakes ! Then there is the typical village tradesman, who is the elder as will, and not quite so upright as he is believed to he ; also village gossips .and old wives, and shepherds, whose collies accompany them into the kirk itself. All these characters arc cleverly drawn, and none more so than that of the elder's old sweetheart, jilted on her wedding mom. • Next the atmosphere : here the dresses and -manners of the sixties are drawn upon with rich results. As the crinolined ladies appeared' on the stage there was an audible gasp of feminine surprise throughout tfle -house on Saturday. At first ■ they, in their Paisley shawls and poke bonnets, caused much laughter, but as the play proceeded, strange to say, the quaint fashions of fifty years ago ceased to astonish ; people had grown as much accustomed to them as to the sheath skirts and V-shaped apertures at tho throat in our own time. The play, then, became the thing. In the second act a pretty little girl did no more than merely cross the stage, but her demure air suited well her full-made frock and pert little pork-pie hat, and she looked very like the little Miss Kitchen,the model of Lewis Carroll for "Alice in Wonderland." The point is that the child proved what all will understand, viz., that men will love Them all just the same whether garbed as our mothers in moire antique silk dresses that stood alone or the scanty and semi-transparent garments of to-day. • To Miss Ella Young was allotted the role of Bunty. As she presented the character it was impossible not to fall head and ears in love with the dainty, pretty, sensible, clever little woman. Miss Young's acoent may or may not have been the pure doric (no two autho- , rities, not even Scots, agree on a standard), but she was rather difficult to follow at times, whereas Mr. A. Barker as Rab, her brother, was quite easy, and his seemed to be the dialect of Glasgow and thereabouts. He was quite natural ; seemed to convey the author's intentions to the letter. Miss Nan Taylor's interpretation of Miss Simpson, a close-fisted, insinuating, and withal a spiteful old maid, was a very clever piece of work. Perhaps the finest study of all was that of Eelen Dunlop, the jilted sweetheart, who looked, felt, and meant her part Mr. Graham Moffat was himself cast for the part of Tammas Biggar, the elder and j grocer. Probably had Mr. Moffat been able to see himself from the stalls he would have concluded that Mr. Moffat the actor did not make all out of the part that Mr. Moffat the author had put into it. Biggar is a part of great dramatic potentialities . which Mr. Moffa as an actor did not demonstrate. Weelum Sprunt, to whom Bunty is affianced, was played along acceptable semi-farcical -conventional lines by Mr. D. Urquhart. Of the success of "Bunty Pulls the Strings" there is no doubt. Further proof was given on Saturday night. It is the play for tho bawbees and the audience richly enjoyed it. Its popularity during its short season here appears to be assured. It will be repeated this evening. PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA. A fine programme of operatic and other music was presented by the Wellington Professional Orchestra last evening, Mr. Herbert Bloy conducting. That the public enjoys these orchestral concerts is proved by .the large and enthusiastic audiences which they attract. "Der Freischutz" was the chief operatic selection, and Mr. Bloy's capable forces handled the work with exquisite ' taste and musicianly skill. Selections were also given from "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "William Ratcliffe." In addition, Tschaikowsky's stirring "Marche Slavonique" was given, and met with warm acceptance, as did also the quaint "African Dances." The orchestra, after a now long and arduous experience, has found that, given the right programme, capably performed and as capably directed, Wellington audiences can be attracted in numbers by orchestral music alone. Of course, admission to these concerts being free ensures large attendances, but the came people are seen »t th»

concerts again and again. Solos studding the programme are also very popular, as indeed the harp solo by Mr. John Vitetta, "The Bells of Alhambra," as given last evening, deserved to be. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. In furnishing an entirely new programme at His Majesty's Theatre this evening the Fnller-Brennan management will present a number of new artists for the first time. Williams and Warner will appear in an eccentric musical act, which includes "Slapaphone," a unique instrument, which supplies a weird though nevertheless pleasant variety of music. Foy and Poy, two Australians, will specialise in character sketch and ragtime dancing. Mr. Les Bates, another newcomer, possesses an American reputation as a raconteur, and will introduce several new songs and monologues. Mr. Neil Cant, a Scottish comedian, who has appeared in Wellington previously, has been engaged for a return season. The other members of the company, all of whom are popular favourites, will appear in new items. KING'S THEATRE. "One of Our Girls," to be screened at the King's Theatre to-night, introduces Hazel Dawn, the popular American actress, who recently scored a big success in the title role of the "Pink Lady." This production deals with the inspiring sacrifice of an American heiress, in behalf of her cousin, who has married a profligate French Count. The heiress finally triumps over the Count, and reveals his mysterious and sinful past, which leaves her cousin free to marry a man whom she loves. There will also be screened for the first time a picture of the "Capture of Brussels," which shows Germany's huge army entering the capital city of Belgium. After the roll call, the fatigued troopers take their first meal in Brussels. Latest War Graphic are also included in the programme, together with other subjects. MACMAHON'S NEW THEATRE. Macmahon's New Theatre, Manners street, will be an excellent/ place to wind up the holiday to-night. " Jane Eyre " is the outstanding feature. It is a splendid adaptation From Charlotte Bronte's well-known work, and has a particular appeal to womenfolk. ' ' The Winner" provides a .stirring ,story of the Turf — one of the best in its class. " Mabel's First Hero " is a typical Keystone comedy. A remarkable series of war pictures^ showing the German army's entry into Brussels and the ruins of Termonde, will be added to-night, and the addition should create considerable interest. These pictures are from the seat of war, and give an excellent idea of the conditions which prevailed. "EVERYBODY'S." To-night at "Everybody's" a list of the latest films will be screened. Tho Keystone comedy, "The' Knock-out," is said to be the best of its kind. The popular comedian, "Fatty," who has appeared in several Keystone successes, is a determined and weighty pugilist, who enters the ring with the purpose of defeating all-comers. He is assisted by a "crook" referee, Chares Chaplin, and succeeds in holding his own until he is hustled on to the ropes by an adversary, when he loses his temper and calls for revolvers Then the fun commences, and the Keystone police are called upon to bring matters to a close. "The Capture of Brussels" will be screened for the first time in Wellington. This picture shows the Belgians silently watching the enormous army of German troops entering their capital. The latest "Gaumont Graphic" includes many scenes from the front, and a selection of dramatic and scenic films complete the programme.