TEE THORNTON – ARNOLD COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9582, 6 August 1894, Page 5

TEE THORNTON - ARNOLD COMPANY.

"THE PRIVATE SECRETARY." There was a large assemblage at the Opera House on Saturday night to witness the revival of " The Private Secretary," and the

boiine was kept in a simmer of merriment, occasionally diversified by explosions of Ja«srlit<jr, during the whole performance. Mr. Prank Thornton's Rev. Robert Spaulding is so perfect a study—a character Which has become absolutely original , in itself—that one never tires of seeing or laughing at the grotesque situations and vicissitudes into which the simple-minded ecclesiastic is plunged. Mr. Thornton has made the character one of those studied which stands alone, like that of Sothorn's Dundreary, Kean's Over-reach, or Jefferson's Rip Van Winkle. His facial expression, the intonations of his voice, his gestures, studied yet natural, are all provocative of spontaneous mirth. From his first entrance to the falling of the curtain the amusing series of misadventures of the Private Secretary carry the au.lience with them, and each peculiar expression of the actor is so irresistibly, droll that there is nothing for it but joyous hearty laughter, and it is quite unnecessary to put afresh Mr. Cattermole's query, " How's your liver ?" The pleasure felt by an Auckland audience when "The Private Secretary" was previously staged here, has been frequently recalled since. It Was freely anticipated that the rival of this hitherto successful comedy during the season, which, to the regret of playgoers, is now closing at the Opera House, would attract a largo audience, and this hope was verified on Saturday evening, as all parts of the house were well filled. The principal interest of the piece attaches to the impersonation of the Kef. Robert Spauldlng, loaded with the impedimenta of his "goods and chattels," as so artistically delineated by Mr. Frank Thornton, and it is the secret of the success of the play. In this f*ntistio character he was in no respect loss droll than in its previous presentations. The naivete of the part was as richly emphasised as of yore, and its deliberate quaintness w»b most effective. There was an enthusiastic call for Mr. Thornton ab the close of the fireb act, and a call, in which the other members of the company shared, at the fall of the curtain upon the second act. Of the members of the company who supported Mr. FrankThornbon, much can bo said incommendation. Mr.B. VV. Thomas'Oatter* mole is an original and consistent study—a conscientious portraiture of a cantankerous, good-hearted man of the world. Mr. A. E. Matthews played the bright young spark of a nephew with that quiet intensity and effectiveness peculiar to himself. The parts of the light-hearted Harry Marsland and the jolly Squire were capably played respectively by Mr. Percy Brough and Mr. Harry Hill. The self-possessed, conoeited Sydney Gibson, the foppish tailor, who is desirous of getting Into "sooiety," was made one of the features of the play by r. F. W. Leonard, who had evidently made a study of the character. Mrs. Walter Hill, who is at home in every r&le assigned to her, as the spirituallstloally inclined Miss Ashford, contributed in no ordinary degree to the enjoyment of the audience. Eva Webster and Edith Marsland are two light-headed girls, who were represented by* Miss Dot Frederic and Miss Agnes Knight, who were in such vivaolous spirits, as bo warrant Mr. Oattermole in saying " they- were as lively as kittens." Miss Ada Lee acquitted herself admirably as the fussy old landlady, Mrs. Stead. The play was mounted carefully and effectively. "The Private Secretary'' will be repeated to-night for the last time, and those who have a keen sense of the humorous and desire a hearty 1 laugh should witness Mr. Thornton's' impersonation of the Rev, Robert Spauldlng. , # . - Special notice is given that owing to the s.s. Wairarapa being detained until Wednesday the company have acceded to the many requests, and will produce to-morrow night thab specially favourite musical drama, " Captain Fritz." The crowded house's this piece drew last week is full confirmation of the merits of the piece. As it is the laßb night and farewell appearance of the genial Charles Arnold no doubt there will be a bumper house to witness his impersonation J of the warm-hearted Captain Fritz.