AMUSEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 19 August 1910, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

THE WARD COMEDY COMPANY.

"A BACHELORS HONEYMOON.'

Not fur manv year?, has the advent of a theatrical compmny to Nelson caused such interest as that following on the announcement that Hugh J- Wards Conipanv was to appear in this city. Immediately it was known that this combination of comedians was coming to Nelson there was a, rush for seats and by yesterday there was a record booking, arid" it became necessary to encroach verv considerably on the. .-.tails in order to provide accommodation for those taking the ■top-price, tickets. And so. the curtain (rose to a house packed to the doors—a crowd that wis out for the amusement that thev knew the Compa.uy was capable of affording. The principals .Mr. Ward and Mies Palotta—were given a cordial reception on imaging their first appearance before the lights. as their performances in Wellington, both on and off the .stage, have made their names famous- throughout the Dominion, and they will have to face ovations, a.t all the places thov visit. "t\ Bachelor's Honeymoon" is jn three acts, but with a single setting in Beiiiainin Bachelor's, reception room. The Bachelor in the comedy is. contrary to expectations, a much-married man—he has taken a second -dip in. the marriage lotterv ; and it his anxiety to keep this knowivedge from the second .Mrs. B. thai accounts for the. various .complications that from time to time .arise. Of cniii'se Ben and his lies are bowled out in the end ; but in .the meantime the audience has had really good fun. especially as the plot thickens and the siiuafio'iK become more acute. Mr. Ward showed himself a polished and .refined actor .and his scenes with Miss Palotta. were very natural. MJis<K Palotta .scored a great success in her part of Miss Arbuckle (stage name Juno. Joyce). She _is a charming ax-.tress. ami she immediately established herself a favourite both for her acting and her songs, all of which were encored. Miss Palotta and Mr. Ward took part in the duet. "The Boy Who Listed." and were encored therefor. Miss Celia Ghi.luu.i as '-Minerva" was simply splendid. Kllkv is. Benjamin's. sister and" -moral guardian, and a regular ma.ri.net. Her monologue "Find the Man" wa» one of the bdst hits of the evening, and met with ' demonstrative applause. As "Marianne." a maidservant who gets a due in her head. Miss Maud C'hetwynd was immense. .She was responsible for no end of fan. and her two songs. "Afraid to Come Home in the Dark" and "My Boy Bill" brought down the house. Mr. Reg. Wykeha.m added considerable to the merriment in his portrayal of the character of "Stephen Houston" ("a very busy man"). Mr. T>awrence Harding as "Dr. Lndwig .Schwartz'' made the most of a minor part, and Miss Florence Bedfern and Miss Ruby Baxter (daughters of Benjamin Bachelor). Mr. H. H. Wallace as "Joe." a main servant, and Mr. Robert Greig as "Anthony Gumbug," a confidential agent, carried out their pacts satisfactorily. The performance was an excellent one from sta.rt to finish, and the Company well deserve the glowing accounts which preceded their arrival.

"THE GIRL FROM RECTOR.'.S." The new piece, "The Girl from Rector's." a farcical comedy in. four acta adapted from the French' by Paul M. Potiter, the dramatist- of "Trilby," will be presented by Hugh. J. Ward's comf>aaiy of comedians .to-night. The Engish version is bright and "spic" enough to suit the mast exacting taste in the way of farcical comedies, with a "fillip" enough. The play is a veritable Chinese puzzle of amazing complications, and improbable, but irresistibly funny, situations. It is almost- impossible to describe it coherently because everything and everybody in it are .incoherent. Any in. their spare time are de-

voted to wiriggiLing out of se-ra-pc*: and getting- into fresh ones. 'Practically all the characters are living dual lives, having a good time in one place while their respective spouses and relations are under the impression that they are leading strenuous and simple lives in a different- part of the .globe. The play is one of the most wildly absurd farcical comedies and is hilarious 'throughout. Mr. Hugh J. Ward is supported b\> a strong eomipainy, and among the favourites who will appear -are Misses Grace Palo-tta. C-elia Chiloni. Maud Chetwynd, Mcssi-s Reginald Wykeham, Augbrev Maililean. Robert- Greig, H. H. Wallace" and others. Special s-cenei-y has been painted for' the production by Mr. Harry Whaite. and the ladies of the company are said to be gowned. v The season concludes to-m-orrow evening, when "Tlie Man From Mexico" will .be staged.

THE .SKATING RINK

' Tlo-night will be ladies' invitation <nio-hf at the skating rink. An addi'Honal attraction this evening will "bo a hockey'match, four players n-side.

It- is notified that owing to the Appleby danre being postponed the Richmond Assembly will be held -to-night.