DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 929, 2 May 1918, Page 18

DRA MATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footilgkfc,

*' Seven Days" Leave." OLD-FASHIONED melodrama of the Bland Hold type clothed in a modern atmosphere—such is "Sever. Days' Leave," in which the Allan. Wilkie season opened at the Grand Opera House to a packed audience last Saturday evening. Being modern, the war naturally supplies' the plot, and just as naturally it follows that, the hero of the piece is a British Array officer and the villain and his accomplice of the other sex are a pair of German siiies. As in "The Man Who Stayed at Homo" (a former war drama), where the hero feigns the role of a shirker in order to trap some German spies, so does-his counterpart in' "Seven Days'* Leave" sham drunkenness to. deceive and catch the Hun schemers. ; Of course, in both cases the hero triumphs and our enemies are frustrated. , «

Though the plot is not particularly ingenious in construction and quite transparent, the interest is well sustained. The production is staged m ' first-class style and the company_is a very capable one. Mr. Allan Wilkie glays the principal role of the hero, aptain Terence Fielding, who, in feigning drunkenness to fool the German spies, does so at the expense- of breaking off the engagement of his fiancee. Mr. Wilkie is rather stagey . in the. part and one is inclined to be. disappointed when remembering his fine Shakespearian performances. 3 * * * «• Of special interest to Wellingtonians is the appearance of Miss Marie Ney, better known to us as Miss Marie Fix,

formerly a. clever local amateur, who joined Mr. Wilkie's Shakespearian Company when they were this city a year or two ago. Miss Ney takes the part of the heroine, which is conventional and offers no remarkable . opportunities of displaying histrionic talent. Still, Miss Ney does quite well and moreover looks well. The caste

is a fairly long one and every part is efficiently filled. Mies Nellie Ferguson stands out for a convincing impersonation of Constance Morel/ of the Kaiser's Secret Service.

"Seven Days' Leave" ends its run this week and it will be noticed that a . Special Matinee is arranged for Saturday afternoon, when the prices .-••of admission for both parents and children *■ are to be temptingly low. On Monday night the second great attraetioui of

tile season will be presented in the four-act play, "The Story of the Rosary," with Mr. Allan Wilkie in a verv. striking role. Don't confuse this drains, with. ' 'The Rosary," which has alreadv been seen in Wellington. "The Story of the'Bosary" is entirely differ-, ent and has never been produced here before; ■& i * . *v.." * Mrs. Allan "Wilkie. whose stage,name is Miss Frediswyde Hunfcer-Watts, is a conspicuous absentee from the ranks of the Allan Wilkie Company this tour. She is oii the sick list and has gone to America for rest and renewed health. Later she will rejoin the cpinpany when, it is to he hoped, they will treat us to another Shakespearian repertoire. Local theatregoers tetain vivid impresr sions of Mrs. Wilkie's appearances as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet," and Katharina- in "The Taming of the Shrew," and other parts, and it is their wish she will soon be restored to health. ; . * ; ■■'■■*■.;■ •* • * ■■■ ■ Bis Majesty's Theatre.

Stars may come and stars may go hut Fullers' stream of talent into their local temple of light, colour, and motion seems to go on for ever. Maude Courtney and Mr. C will continue to tell each other under what conditions they will pursue their marital happiness for a few nights longer, when they will pack their bag of gags and seek fresh towns and patrons new. Ted Mac Lean and his little partner, Genevieve Lee, are producing a potted comedy-drama, which has a mistaken identity theme that causes some startled "Ohs 1" from the flirtatious flapper of chocolate-devouring propensities and much merriment from the mob. That talented trio, the Musical Kennedys, who! are known •as the '-Trio Classique," render Sullivan's "Lost Chord" delightfully, and the Dick and Dorothy Trio supply the last word in terpsichorean motion. Also Wylie Watson extinguishes fires with much gas, Howard Hall baritones, and the Ballanciinos ballancino.; Also ran:

Kelly and Drake, Ward... Lear, Ada Smart, Copeland and Kid, and r Vesto and Jullyan. Next week another budget of artists arrive, amongst them being Vaude and Verne, who require no introduction here. .

Cyril , Towsey is still at the piano in Auckland. They say there is no better accompanist up north. ./■ ■ ■

Harry Lauder was to close bisAmerican tour last week. Afterwards he intended visiting France again in order to entertain the soldiers. Since he lost his only,son.in the war he loses no opportunity of helping to brighten the lives of the lads at the Front. He is booked for a tour of Australasia next year.. ■;•■;. ■ " _ ■

The Tramway Entertainers deserve well of the public. They claim to have raised £500 during the past 12 months for patriotic and charitable purposes. On Saturday night this week they are giving a variety entertainment in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, in ' aid of their own funds, and it is' to be hoped the public will insure them a bumper house.