KATHLENE MACDONELL SEASON

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1918, Page 3

KATHLENE MACDONELL SEASON

"THE RAINBOW."

Officially described as comedy, "The Rainbow," by A. E. Thomas, must not be associated with the trivialities and other things not otherwise enumerated imported from America under this classification. It has the light touch of comedy, but the touch is not applied to a. mass of absurd situations. Rather, the play is a drama in a happy vein, verging on tragedy at times, but with the certainty that tears will be banished by smiles. The dialogue is clever, but not too clever, and the situations are as human as they are delightful. Briefly, the plot is this: Neil iSumnv.r, goldenhearted but careless of his associates, has for this carelessness been separated from his wife and little daughter. After many years of separation, he is beginning to see how empty is his life; black' clouds loom on his horizon, when suddenly there appears—the rainbow, in- the person of his, daughter Cynthia, who has resolved to discover her father. Sumner's whole outlook is changed, but he cannot as easily change hie associates. He realises that the companions of his past life are not suitable friends for a young girl on the verge of womanhood. Cynthia's mother also realises this, and takes her daughter away. Again the black clouds descend, but Cynthia dispels them, and removes their cause by effecting a happy reconciliation between her father and her mother. In the working out of this pretty little tale all members of the company were most happy last night. vMiss Kathleno MacDonell, as Cynthia, was exactly the light-heart-ed, pure, and affectionate girl that one would have imagined. So .perfect -was her presentation that the play was forgotten. There was just the note of pathos necessary as a setting for the exquisite humour of the lighter scenes. Mr. Charles. Waldron, also, was admirably euited as Neil Sunraer. The role was a difficult one, calling for restraint in tragic moments, and abandon in moments' 1 of gaiety, with no deep gnlf between the two. Mr. Waldron's interpretation was all that could be desired, whether the observer were seeking art or entertainment. Miss Emma Temple appeared as Sumner's sister, Betsy, who understands her brother, and strives to impart that understanding to his wife. As usual, Miss Temple's work was thorough and artistic. The character of Sumner's wife, as played by Miss Beryl Bryant, was a trifle too studied. As the wife with a grievance, her acting was good, but if she always nursed that grievance, how came-her daughter to be so light-hearted? Mtv-Roy Redgrave did well as Edward Fellows, Sumner's friend and lawyer, and Mr. Kenneth Brampton gave a neat sketch of the character of Nicholas Hollins, Sumner's racing manager, and one of the associates of whom he would fain be rid. ' Miss Minnie Engler appeared as Jane Palmer, one of the women friends whose friendship Is no longer desired. Minor parts were taken well by Mr. Charles Brown, Mr. Frank Hatherley, Mr. Plumpton Wilson, Mr.. Bert Barton, Miss Clarice Hai-d----wicke, and Miss Miss Audrey Worth. To-night will be devoted to the production of yet another new and highly interesting play, in Edward Childs Carpenter's poetic effort, "The Cinderella Man." This is announced as a play of sentiment and comedy, with a strong love note pervading it. Mr. Waldron will play the penniless Cinderella man and Miss MacDonell the daughter of an American millionaire. The season will conclude to-morrow night, when "Daddy Long Legs" will be presented.