THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1709, 27 December 1919, Page 6

THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.

AN EVER GREEN COMEDY. Anyone requiring; an antcdoto for depression 0/ spirits should certainly visit tlio performance of VThc Private Secretary" in the Opt!j*a House to-night. This ctimedy grows greener with the years and produced hy the clever company of amateurs from Wellington, that now holds the boards, loses nothing in the effect of its broad humour and countless ludicrous situations. Last night’s performance attracted a well-lilled home. The clerical private secretary —Rev. Robert Spahliiig —with his hath bun and glass of milk' and the'trouble I some goloshes, was admirably interpreted by Mr Norman Aitken, Mr Kenneth ken is the irascible old undo fresh from India with a tropical temper, and the part of his nephew;, who is sowing his “wild oats” at the peculiar whim of his uncle, is taken with distinct success by Mr Alf. Spencer, As the play progresses it i’T apparent that the uncle’s wishes in regardto the “wild oats” have been dutifully carried out. Pursued by a tailor with -a bill for £3OO. the nephew changes places with the newly-appointed and mild-looking private secretary, and proceeds to a country homo in clerical guise. id is duties lay mainly in instructing two delightful young ladies, the daughter of the host being one. Later when tin tailor discovers him ami the real private secretary appears the fun becomes uproarious. 'As a mjiidtfi aunt in the home is an ardent spiritualist, thetpsoiido secretary palm; off the genuine one as a medium. The part of the oldfashioned spinster, .is interpreted hy Miss FI ard i ngc-Ma 1 tby, is a most convincing niece of acting. The ('fleet of the introluction creates ludicrous happenings, and the unfortunate medium ! - mines obsessed with the idea that the place is a private lunatic asylum. So strained does the position eyentu ally become that the' eventual discovery becomes a certainty. However, 'the uncle finds that his nephew' has indeed sown Iris wild oats wuth a prodigal hand, and has also in the brief space at Ids disposal won the heart of the daughter of the house. To the old uncle it has been ids one desire to see such a consummation and the end is satisfactory. Tonight’s performance will conclude the season.