What Happened To Jones.

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 54, 27 June 1928, Page 4

What Happened To Jones.

Kaitaia Comedy Club. A Great Success. The Atidience Delighted “What Happened To Jones,” a delightful comedy which for fully thirty years h-fis been the means of providing abundant entertainment for untold numbers throughout the English speaking world, was staged by the Kaitaia Comedy Club, in the Princess Theatre last evening. Notwithstanding the prevalence of a good deal of sickness in the community ther: was a large audience to greet th comedy company, and those p vileged to witness the staging this popular come cl enjoyed every mome of it. There wore many in ti audience who aUended the sta ing of “The Private Secre tar and “Charley’s Aunt” by t Comedy Club, and good thou each of these productions we it is questione’ le whether m enjoyment w•••.. derived, fr either, than that provided l “What Happened to Jones.” 1’ story is so well known as not need recapitulation; but brif it surrounds a 1 oung man nam Jones who sells everything ; anything from a pack ol cards hymn bool us befits the occ ion and the company he is Incidentiy he is not averse ti little specuianon on a “pi fight” or a “boxing contest”, was, as the result of being an terested spectator at a “boxir contest” promoted in a loft o\ a stable that be became an u bidden guest at tlm home.of Ee nezer Goodiy a professor of an,: - orny. Incidentiy the/ professor much against h;s will was -p rsuaded by 7 his intended son-c----law Richard Heatherby to attend this illegal 'contest; A police raid took place with the usual scramble and get-away. Ebenezer sustains a black-eye and various other abrasions' through sliding down a water pipe. Richard ana the professor have only reached the seclusion ot the latter’s home Jones walks in. How to account for this stranger’s presence without betraying to his wife that they had been to a “prize fight” Ebenezer was unable to decide until a parcel of clothes for the Bishop of Ballarat, Ebenezer’s brother, gave them an idea. Jones is arrayed in the Bishop’s raiment and then the fun begins. It was a scream from sart to finish. The appearance of the real Bishop opened up many humorous incidents. Mr Kenny in the character of “Jones” as the Bishop of Ballarat met every situation with that ready wit which has ever been responsible for the success of this comedy. Mrs Ebenezer Goodly who had been agog with the pending visit of her brother-in-law the Bishop of Ballarat, lionises His Lordship and like an ambitious lady I f nothing undone to placate this Doctor ot Divinity. Miss Walk r as Mrs Goodly was wonderfu ly good, and next to the star pc - former Mr Kenny, did her wt / splendidly. Mr Slane as Eb ezer hacj a difficult part but ! was equal to every demand up him. His assumed annoyance the attention paid the bo, bishop by his wife was fi Miss A Tracey as Minerva , Miss Phylis Carman as M jorie, nieces of the Bisb-. of Ballarat, were scarcely as gc as they might ,:ave?-been, but 1 ■ ! may be attributed to nervousne ; , | Mrs Gordon Slane as “Cissy,” r ;i j the other hand acted cleverly, ami I

the writer has not previously seen her appear to such distinct advantage. Her sister Miss Cissy Moore as “Helma” the eccentric maid had a by no means easy part, but she performed exceptionally well, and < not make a mistake. In the ch: acter of “Alvina Starlight” the cid maid who has designs upon. + r.e Bishop of Ballarat, but who like the other women folk mistake “Mr Jones’ as the “real thing,” Mrs Salvair had a part which suited her to perfection. Hei work was good. Mr. Piatten was apparently very nervom, 'Theßishop ot Ballarat”, and he might have done better but for this. Of the other characters Mr. P. Miller as “William Bigbee”, the escapee from a Sanatorium, who imagines himself a Red Indian Chief, was the best. A little boisterous perhaps, but nevertheless quite goodAs has been state ! earlier in this article, this piece was made for “Mr Jones” and the impersonation of Mr Jones by Mr Kenny was really wonderful. There can be little doubt that with better opportunities Mr Kenny would make a name for himself as an acior. Mr L Peace made an indifferent constable and Mr Bruce McKinnon was scarcely a good Warder in the Sanitorium. The stage effect was splendid and this was the result of a great deal of hard work done by Mr Ronald Walker in his capacity of Scenic Artist. Mr H limbers as musical director and conductor of the Rialto orchestra rendered excellent service. Mr A F McKenzie gave great assistance in connection with the. scenery preparing all the woodwork Mr Kenny as producer deserves the highest praise and is to be congratulated upon the result of his effort-. Owing to the inclemency of the weather and the likelihood of a flood, the second staging of “What Happened To Jones” will take place to-morrow night in the Princess Theatre, instead of tonight.