THE CHARLES ARNOLD SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, 12 March 1901, Page 6

THE CHARLES ARNOLD SEASON.

" CAPTAIN FRITZ." . The Charles Arnold Comedy Company pro . ' ■ • duced at the Opera House last night, to a ] large audience, Henry Hamilton's : five-act • ; Play Captain Fritz." The company's sea- ' son has been prolific of good things, but many people will , hold the opinion, after ast night s performance, that the best was " kept to the last. ■ When the playgoer is treated to a cleverly-knit combination of drama, melodrama, comedy, and farce as ' ' cou ?: 9 iV h JS .? %htfuiplay, wE,orl . could be desired " Captain Fritz" was : S, P v e P ted m Auckland by Mr. Arnold : ; some years ago and its story ha, no need ' mainV eCU - nted ,? r6 in «* detail - Its ■ ' i S n ?s, Is i wel l-worn melodramatic one, • |XS t,? - em ° Val of the to an ! cetor h W us t im P. ec ™ous would-be sueI sunS ft h , aving hi measure ° sueI mfn?« i he last act ' when h « is igno- > v j miniously shown up and foiled by the hero, " whereupon all ends happily. : The beauty o . the working out of this plot in the play \ i' *£» 'l,° tlCO i'! *if at whilst the interest is ' never allowed to flag, there is an abundance of. tan and by-play, introduced which makes fn J,!tTl ? ms contrast ' and prevents the - inevitable sequence ? events from becoming tiresome. Indeed ; the third . act, right up .. A . to its conelusion-whon a very powerful situation brings the curtain down-is pure and unadulterated farce, and causes 'shrieks of laughter throughout. Mr. ' Charles Arnold played the title role, and gave an excellent portrayal of the gay, good-hearted captain, the friend of every worthy character in the piece. In the most painful of positions and the most awkward quandaries Captain. could always, in Mr. Arnold's hands, be depended to come out "on top," and gener- .' ally to favour with a song. In the latter - direction he was cordially, apnlauded for his rendering of "We Take off Our Hats to the King, an up-to-date ditty in which he introduced several very clever impersonations, My Pipe and I," Bubbles," and Tommy Atkins." The latter was sung in the ludicrous third act and was considerably assisted to success by the comical business" of the chorus by the other artistes. Mr? Arnolds performance throughout. was most effective and enjoyable. Miss Dot Frederic not only looked a " beautiful English rosebud in the charming character of Sybil Ernngton, but acted with a grace all her own, and succeeded in winning her audience') hearts as easily as she did that of Captain Fritz. Miss Agnes Knight as Lady Vereker gave another of her graceful impersonations, . in which she wag very natural. Her over-.- . powering grief on learning of the supposed death of her little son, was a cleverly-acted. piece of work, which proved that her talent does not lie in the direction of comedy only. Miss Sallie Booth was caste > as Priscilla Gedge, the maiden ladv who was the bane : and housekeeper of Dr. Earle. In this part the clever lady's irresistible vein of humour ? had full scope, and she was in consequence " : the cause of a great deal of hearty laughter. Little Edna Arnold eave another proof of her remarkable ability as Sir Geoffrey Vereker, the heir, who stood between Colonel Vereker and the. estate. The latter character was played by Mr. E. W. Thomas. . " who has hitherto during the season been as- ;; sociated with low-comedy parts. Mr. Thoinai made » sufficiently deplorable villain, anc displayed a marked degree of skill in his interpretation. Mr. George Willoughby hae J a smaller part than usual in that of Dr. Earle, but he played it with finish. Mr. Edwin Lester, as the blood-curdling gipsy; ".„.;., with a propensity for stealing heirs and lot : : acting in a generally discourteous manner tc everybody, played well, and managed to, got himself well hated, as was meet that h« should. Messrs. Frank H. Denton and Frederic B. Sharp, and Miss Ada Lee were responsible for some excellent acting in th« lighter vein, and the minor parts were all well filled. The mounting and effects were _ beyond reproach, the tableau at the end oJ . the fourth act in which several local volunteers assisted the ends of justice by raiding the gipsy camp and rescuing the stolen heir, calling for special mention. < "Captain Fritz 'I will be produced again this ; eve . lun S. u when the t company. will bring their AucP land season to a termination* ' , '' ■;•■■■>", '■■'■:V;.;-"- M-----K-:iyW