“Grumpy.”

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13790, 19 January 1918, Page 5

“Grumpy.”

CYRIL MAUDE’S MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE.

From north, south, east and west came a great audience to the Opera House last night, lured by a name— Cyril Maude (“Grumpy”). Bent ot body, tottering of steps, in turn querulous, irascible, humorous and gentle, the great actor brought to the enactment of his favourite role a power and an artistry which held his auditors enthralled. Few there were who had conceived of the possibility of so magnetic an appeal. Such a pourtrayal presents a standard of histrionic achievement quite singular in local annals. It will live in the memory of hundreds of playgoers as a perpetual and fragrant memory whenever the association of this great actor and his masterpiece is recalled. With Mr Maude is a company of singular excellence. Each and every one of them brought to the production a measure of originality and of talent appropriate and sustained. Thus was built up a presentment soothing, satisfying and complete. The “Virginia” of Miss Dorothy Gumming wns a pourtrayal of waywardness, winsomeness and tenderness, very convincing and very sweet, and Miss Betty Murray was a dainty and very lovable 1 * Susan. ’ ’ Even the sartorial villain was most artistic and repulsive, _ and “Grumpy’s” nephew and his retainers and satellites alert and responsive to every wheeze and whim wrnre lit auxiliaries to a great exemplar. The jucce was most appropriately staged and a highly versatile orchestra filled the entr’actes with most agreeable music. The pity of it is that the season was so tantalisingly brief.