BENEFIT COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 18289, 31 May 1923, Page 12

BENEFIT COMEDY

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Tho first of several performances of the comedy ‘Facing the Music was given at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. The work is being staged by a local amateur cast, under tho direction of Air 1. Do Spong, in aid of tho flood relief fund, and it is therefore disappointing to have to record that last night’s performance was witnessed by a select audience. However, those present made, up in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers, and all went well. The comedy is bright and amusing, and is calculated to keep any audience in a genial frame of mind. It revolves round the characters of two men, both bearing the name of John H-mith, but one of them is the reverend, a timid Anglican curate. Both men are married, and a quite accidental confusion between diem gives rise to endless complications, out of which the playwright has abstracted tho maximum of amusement. Besides tlto two married couples there are five other characters in the play, who are pressed into service to complicate the plot and add to tho comedy, ami these were satisfactorily played by Miss Ruth iSnllivan, Miss Alice Smith, Messrs Reg. T apley, A. F. M'Slcimming, and J. H. Brown. Judgment, of course, is passed on their work viewing it as a performance by amateurs. Mr W. J. Allpress made a very good curate, and Mr Do Spong s interpretation of Joint Smith was excellently done. The parts of tho two ladies were taken successfully by Miss Ethel I [linker and Miss Linda Johnston. _ Mr Do Spong and his associates have been most successful in their effort Horn a theatrical point of view, and Jt is to be hoped that, their second performance to-night will be rewarded with a larg«‘ audience.