ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 10 March 1923, Page III

ENTERTAINMENTS.

-.'■■ — ■» "., -.;' : "THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE.'' The Opera Hbuse3was fairly well filled last evening when Messrs. E. J. and Dan Carroll presented "The Sentimental Bloke," a comedy in three acts by Mr. C. J. Dennis. The play was a decided success, and humour, with Dpree]ni. ; and the 'Sentimental Bloke at '• the foie, ; flowed right through the piece. The, types of character with which the popular poem deals were cleverly presented, and while the earlier scenes were sordid and some of tlie characters of the roughest kind, that which is best in human nature was prominent. The mode of expression and a free use of adjectives which decorated' the conversation of Spadger Lane types niay have grated -on the ears of .some", but ■ "Ginger Mick" (Mr. T. Ordelt), .who had the greatest gifts in this direction, played one of the most popular pajfts and revealed many of the finest traits. The ; favourite was undoubtedly;1 Miss Eileen Alexander. (Doreen), who, with Mr.' Walter; Cormock (the Sentimental Bloke), had the more serious parts of the play 'in their care. Mr. James Alprey (Uncle Jim) who, as a retired farmer, boarded with Doreen's mothex, contributed to the enjoyment of all* by his adroit escapades from the old lady, who made persistent and unconcealed attempts to rope him in as a second husband—efforts'to Which he ultimately capitulated. Doreen's mother was an excellent type, as presented by Miss Stella Payter, and the mutilation of words; "with the result that a totally different meaning to that intended was conveyed, was most laughable. The emphasis she repeatedly placed upon "respectability" was also highly amusing., '...Mr.7 Leslie Gordon, the farm hand, known as 'Erb, appeared late in the play ; and' from the it oh he wa?: one of the most interesting figures. Tlie social evening in Mrs. Darling's parlour caused the greatest amusement. Such discord could not have been obtained by a dozen people singing tbp gether without : considerable training. Of harmony there was none, but all who were assisting seemed to be well pleased with the effort. One of the final scenes, showing Doreen and Bill (the Kid) married and settled down on a, farm, was a suitable climax to the