THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11538, 26 March 1898, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

ME FRANK THORNTON,

THE STRANGS ADVENTURES OF MISS BROWN. A complaint against New Zealand audiences in general, and more particularly against the patrons of the theatre in Christchurch, is that they are undemonstrative. Generally speaking, this may he deserved, but the rule has its exceptions. For instance, last night, when Mr Frank Thornton made his reappearance at the Theatre Royal, after a lengthy absence from Christchurch, he was received by the large audience with marked demonstrations of goodwill, and as the play progressed, the applause became sufficiently emphatic to satisfy the most exacting lover of approbation. The Strange . Adventures of Miss Brown, with which Mr Thornton commenced Ins season, is a farcical comedy in three acts, written by Mr Robert Buchanan and Mr Charles Marlowe. It is suggestive of Charley’s Aunt, which is one recommendation, and it is clever and amusing, which is another. The plot is simple and short. Miss Angela Brightweli, a ward in chancery, runs away from school and secretly marries Captain Courtney, of the 4th Lancers. Immediately after the ..ceremony Miss Romney, t the head-mistress, appears on the , scene, and drags the bride back to school, while a warrant is issued against 'the bridegroom for having married a ward in chancery without the sanction of the Lord Chancellor. The police endeavour to execute the warrant, but while they are detained in one room, Captain Courtney contrives, through the kindness of his friends. Major and Mrs O’Gallagher, to dress in woman’s clothes, and is introduced to the officers as ‘ f Miss Brown.” The representatives of the law depart, and Captain Courtney, still disguised, follows his bride and by the assistance of Major O’Gailagher, enters Miss Romney’s school as a pupil. A plan to carry off his bride is only partially successful, but just when complications are about to arrive, it transpires that Captain Courtney has inherited an earldom, and all ends satisfactorily, but not before “ Miss Brown ” is responsible for numerous ridiculous “ situations ” in which the other pupils, the lady principal, a detective, and Major O’Gallagher participate. From this brief resume of the plot it may he gathered that Mr Thornton impersonates first of all as Captain Courtney, and latterly as “ Miss Brown,” characters, which, are essentially suited to his methods. If, as the former, he is occasionally reminiscent of the Private Secretary, and if as the latter he now arid then suggests Charley’s Aunt, he is none the less amusing from beginning to end, apd his acting is light and effective. Mr George Carey gives a capital representation of Sergeant Tanner, the detective, and Mr Fred. Shepherd, as 1 Major O’Gallagher, provides an irresistibly attractive character sketch of a kindly and genial Irishman whose humour is equalled only by his native wit. As Herr von Moser, a teacher of music, Mr A. Cochrane acts convincingly; while Mr, E. Hagarth as ; Mr Hibertson, a solicitor, is conventionally fussy and pernickety without confining himself entirely to the groove occupied, by the majority of stage lawyers ; and Mr W. J. Townsend provides some amusing low comedy as Private Doherty. It would be difficult to imagine a better representation of, an elderly . schoolmistress than that of Miss Elsie Carew. ' At no time is there the slightest tendency to overact, while all through there is evidence of quiet humour. Miss Clare Angela Brightweli, however, mars what would otherwise be a really meritorious performance by indistinct enunciation. Miss Meta Pelham makes the very most of the small part of Mrs O’Gallagher, and Miss Florence Poole and

Miss Iza Millet respectively accomplish useful work as two of the boarders at Miss Romney’s school. Mounting is not of great importance in farcical comedies, but nevertheless some attention appears to have been paid to both scenery and dresses, and the incidental music is pleasing. The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown will be repeated to-night.