COMEDY OLD AND NEW

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 134, 4 December 1917, Page 2

COMEDY OLD AND NEW

MB. crRH, MAUDE IN TWO PARTS.

| In two parts did Mr. Cyril Maude api pear at the Opera House last night—as Sir Peter-Teazle, and as Dr. Lucius O*Grady in "General , John Regan"— based on George Birmingham's diverging book of that name. In the colossal name part of ''Grumpy," Mr. Maude showed how religiously he followed Hamlet's golden counsel in "this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature." It was, indeed, rather difficult last night to forget, if only momentarily, the indelible impression left by the remarkable and lifelike portrait of "Grumpy," as depicted by Mr. Maude. But the two parts he essayed last night (so utterly dissimilar) served to demonstrate his profourfd . versatility and his capacity to impart distinction to any character which he seteout to depict. The screen scene alone would have been sufficient return for the tim« and money of those who saw-it. Whether "The School for Scandal" in its entirety would have hUed the house to-day is another matter. The scene was a. scholarly performance, top. for due regard was shown for the beautiful English which Sheridan put into the mouths of his characters, for the hi^h standard of literary excellence" which is not the least important feature of-" the comedy. _ "General John. Regan," evolved by an Irishman, at any rate an Irish' clergyman who knows and obviously loves the people of Ireland, possesses none or the literary beauties of "The School for bcanda-I. ,tt js good-humouredly satirical at times, and always amusing. True as the American who figures in the play might express it, "the laugh is on the Irish, and that is just what the Irishman is rather sensitive about. ' Truth to tell, he feels aggrieved, and with justice, at being identified with the "Pat" of the 'wit and^ humour" column of the newspaper, and sometimes gets very angry, also with reason, with the false Irishman of the variety show; but Canon Hannay r-to give the originator of "General John Regan' bis proper name—touches his Irishmen with humorous delicacy, and that even so lightly that no Irishman ought to take offence. Truth to'telh other, and not necessrily exclusively Irish; communities are as spoofable' as Ballymoy. which readily took the -mythical General John Regan as its own, and as readily exploited him" "for the good of the place." Mr. Maude takes-the part (and manifestly -enjoys it) of the resourceful local general medicat practitioner, anxious at any price, even' of truth, to do Ballymoy a good ten. He is just a bright, bree2y Irishman, always in the best of humours I a«d possibly having a better effect than! his medicine upon the good health of the community. He does not dominate the play as in "Grumpy," and thus scope is afforded far bringing into relic! the general excellence of the rest of the company. Mr. Stephen Scanlan, ac a rabid nationalist editor of the local paper, was quite delightfiil, ( ever ready for a fight; and by no means burlesquing the part. Mr. Robert Ayrton, as Timothy Doyle, the local innkeeper, in nowise exaggerate ed the type he depicted. Quite good work was put in by those caßt in other aid smaller parts,' notably the delightful feminine comedy touches imparted' by Misses Maidi Dillon and Stella Payter, as.rival social leaders in the little town. The curkras horsehair suite, not ojnjt? ting the; antimacassars, in the second act, when the committee meeting was held, should not be missed on any account. Only middle-aged feen now remember the tortures they suffered as small boys when compelled: to sit upon\ the Horsehair chairs in their Wn homes ever" so long ago. : • • ■ . . : ; ,

Everypne last night appeared to thoroughly enjoy the Irish pomedy and its preceding scene. All who- are present k>:night will assuredly do likewise. To. morrow; Mr; Cyril Maude will appear as Ecclee in "Caste—a part that ought to like him-well, and it should'be an education to see him in it. •