"CAPTAIN APPLEJACK"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 9

"CAPTAIN APPLEJACK"

LAURENCE GROSSMITH'S BRIGHT EST PLAY.

. Mr. Lawrence Grossmith as' Ambrose Appiejohn, formerly (a few centuries ago) Captain Ambrose Applejack, pirate, was, welcomed back at the Grand Opera House last evening by a very satisfying, (to the management) and very satisfied (for its own part) audience, and no doubt equally warm well, welcomes will b? extended him and his company again this and Monday, evenings. Mr. Grossmith, after the manner of capable, and therefore versatile, actors, has plays of several types, but in none do his* audiences enjoy him better than in "Ambrose Applejack's Adventure." The story is delightful, the dialogue always clever without being smart, there are no "situations" of the description which must be referred to within inverted commas, and in his dual roles, of the convention-ridden-and hounded Ambrose. Applejebn, and the dream Captain Ambrose Applejack, a very bloody pirate—though a kindly soul where murder was concerned—Mr. Grossmith's work is delightful. The terrific change in AppleJohn's nature is. brought about very largely through sheer funk when his lonely seaside home is threatened by 'burglars, coupled with the . reading of an ancient parchment; but, the dream of Applejack days over;-, the effect persists, and Ambrose recalls the piratical and quite impolite language of his disreputable forefather, has courage thrust upon him by circumstances, and wins out. There is, necessarily, a love tale, quiet, but interesting, in which Miss Dorothy Seacombe appears as Poppy Faire, originally, played here by Miss Doris 'Kendall. The role of the Portuguese lady, Anna Valeska, is taken again in picturesque-style by Miss Diana Wilson. -.Mr. • Ashton Jarry plays agairn as Ivan Boro^tsky, and as trie pirate mate in the second act Mr. Paul Plunket has the part of Johnny Jason, the fool land agent who starts the-trouble, and , the others, Miss »Adelaide Gunn as Aunt Agatha, Miss' Mabel Gower . ,and Mr. Leslie Victor as the Pengards, amateur burlgars," and Mr. Edward Duggan as Lush, the butler. The revival is yery welcome indeed. On Tuesday next and the two following evenings will see the final production of the season, Cosmo Hamilton's brilliant play, v'The Silver Fo.x,"- with Mr. Grossmith. in his inimitable impersonation of Edward Quilter. Also prominently cast are Misses Diana Wilson, Dorothy "Seacombe. and Messrs. Ashton Jarry and Paul Plunket, together with othei's of this excellent company, who are all well placed in the play. The season terminates on Thursday next. The box plans are at the Bristol Piano Co.