ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12281, 27 May 1903, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

'• MICE AND MEN.'

The new play, " Mice and Men," which Mr. Geo. Musgrove's English Comedy Company presented to Auckland playgoers at His Majesty's Theatre last night, created a very favourable impression. It is from the pen of Miss Madeline Lucotte Ryley and must take rank amongst the best of latter-day comedydramas. Based upon an 18th century story, of a strangely pretty sentiment, wholesome,. and demanding to be taken seriously, it is a fragrant, literary play, which appeals deeply to the emotions, and whilst not attempting to take on the stirring attributes of out; and out drama, is yet a vastly moving comedyromance. The theme is one well worth the working out, and the authoress, save for the one fault perhaps of drawing the scenes out to too great length in parts, has in the main succeeded in constructing and fitting in her situations cleverly. The underlying element of pathos is never allowed to drift away too far, and relief is gained in veins of lighter sentiment, whilst here and there quaint turns of humour have their place. The main thread of the story is a deeply impressive study, artistically followed up, of a nobleminded man experimenting with a woman's mind and heart, and shows his gradual awakening to the fact that whilst he may mould the one, the woman's heart is her own to deal' with as she will. Mice and Men," in short, is a piece which will commend itself to lovers of earnest and thoughtful work presented in an interesting and attractive style. The plot shows how an elderly scientist and philosopher, Mark Embury, in pursuance of a determination to marry, adopts 0110 Peggy, a girl of 16, whom he takes from a charitable institution and brings up as his ward, striving in his method of education to bring her to the point when she shall be fitted to become his wife. Peggy, however, loves her benefactor's nephew, Captain Lovell. The captain is banished from his uncle-' home on account of an intrigue with the wife of the latter's friend, Roger Goodlake, which Mark Embury, discovering, will not countenance. Her lover so disposed of, Peggy finds herself the single object of her guardian's regard. The philosopher's educative methods, after two years' trial, howover, fail. On the moment when Mark Embury decides to break to Peggy the hews of his love and his desire that she should be his wife, Captain Lovell returns. The latter more than makes amends in his uncle's eyes for his past failures by now showing something more than akin to scorn for his former —Mrs. Goodlake now that he is back, continues to press her allurements upon him. Pccv takes a hand in the discreditable love affair by preventing its existence coming to the ears of Roger Goodlake, and her knowledge of it leads her to beg her guardian to wed her. Mark Embury, blindly seeing in this the fulfilment of his dreams, gladly agrees and makes the arrangements for their marriage. But—and here comes the finest phase in this delightful —he realises in the end that the girl loves his nephew, is making a sacrifice in marrying himself, and that his experiment is a dismal" failure. So with generous renunciation he gives Peggy her liberty again and leaves her free to follow her heart.

Miss Nellie Stewart, as Peggy, gives a conception of the part which strikes us as being excellent in the beginning and exceedingly well in the ending of the play. Her depiction of the awkward and uncultured foundling waif is remarkably quaint and clever in the first act. In the two intervening acts she seems to us to sacrifice the contemplated sentimental side of the character to the more boisterous and untamed side of it. _ It would, we think, be more in keeping with the story were she to show more prominently the effect of the two years in which Peggy's guardian has supposedly been educations her, and thus give more meaning to his discernment in her of the change from girlishness to womanhood. The woman Peggy, in Miss Stewart's conception, is only thoroughly revealed in the last act, and so artistic and so delightfully touching is her work here that- it is well nigh certain her whole performance would be more impressive were a similar art introduced into her soene3 in the two preceding acts. Still, in fairness, we would say that Miss Stewart is consistently delightful, whether she be right or wrong in making Peggy so much the same before and after the influence of her guardian. Mr. Ilarcourt Beatty. as the scientist, Mark Embury, acts with subtle force and rare ability. His dramatic reserve is distinctly fine, the character in his hands being nothing short of a perfect portrayal of a finely-drawn character. Mr. Be-atty s work tlu'oughout is of such a nature as to command unstinted admiration. In the role of Captain Lovell Mr. Sidney Starling succeeds well, his study of the part, being forceful and impressive. Miss Minnie Sadler plays cleverly as Airs. Goodlake, and Mr. E. B. Russell gives a good character sketch as Roger Goodlake. The remaining characters are handled with ability. The play is beautifully mounted in every detail, the garden scene in the last act being most charming. The masquerade ball scene in the second act is also a good set, and the scenes are well carried out. " Alice and Men" will be staged for three more nights only.

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. ~A , m eefaag of the Mount Albert Young Men ? Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Methodist Sunday-3chool last Friday evening, to consider the advisability of continuing the class for another session. It was unanimously decided to do so, and the undermentioned officers were elected for the :—(President. Mr. Weslev Spragc • vicepresidents, the Rev. S. Griffith, and Messrs. George Powlds, M.H.R., A. .T. Law. and A. 0. Caughey; treasurer, Mr. E. Gribble; reporters, Messrs. N. Ashton and E. V. Law • committee. Messrs. Campbell. F. Asfcley G McLean, N. Ashton, and E. V. Law The syllabus was left in the hands of the committee for arrangement, and it is anticipated that, the association will have a very successful term. CONCERT IN AID OF THE VETERANS' HOME. Last evening, at St. Benedict's Hall, the concert company organised by Mr. P. Qvin- { an (who during the past two or three years has arranged several entertainments in aid of deserving persons and charitable institutional gave an excellent concert in aid of the "V eterans' Home and Association. The entertainment was under the patronage ol His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly). who attended in person, accompanied by Lady Constance Knox, Miss Ada Julius, Viscount Northland, A.D.C., and the Hon. IT. C. Butler, Hon. A.D.C. The viceregal party arrived promptly at eight o'clock, and were received by Mr. Quinlan, the orchestra striking up the first few bars oi the National Anthem as they were escortec. to their seats in the front of the hull. His Worship the Mayor (the Hon. E. Mitchelson), Mr. J. T. Julian (chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board), and Captain Daveney (chairman of the Veterans' Association) were also among those present, and occupied seats with the vice-regal party. The body of the hall was well filled, the attendance including a number of veterans. The Government House party remained until the close of the concert, the first part ol which consisted of a number of vocal and instrumental items, the contributors being as follows Song, "Asleep in the Deep," Mr. J. Lewis; coon, song (selected). Miss May Nolan; song, "The Song that Will Live For Ever," Master J. Quinlan; comic song, "Uncle Joe," Mr. E. S. Fort; vocal duet, "The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp," Messrs. Haswell and Mewburne; guitarra solo, "Grenadier Patrol." Miss L. Barker; comio song, " Must You," Mr. O. McAuiiffe; song (selected), Mr. Noton; comic song, "Tho Recruiting Sergeant," Mr. J. Pearee; popular national airs on the dulciphono, Messrs. Over and Son; song, "I'll Go and Tell Mamma on You," Miss J. Waldron; song, "Boys of New Zealand," Mr. W. Skorrett. The overtures were played by Mr. P. Quin'.an's string orchestra, and Mr. W. Pmcell accompanied the vocalists on the piano. The Misses Quinlan (2). Penfold, and Sims, and Mr. T. Brown gave an interesting display of club-swinning, and the entertainment concluded with the amusing farcical comedy. "Borrowed Plumes," which was very creditably interpreted. The production was under the direction of Mr. E. S. Fort, who played the part of Dick Mizzle, the other characters being taken by tho Misses E. Quinlan and May Nolan, and Messrs. .T. Poarce and W. Saunders. A dance followed. Messrs. Haves and Butler acting as M.C.'s. and Mr. Quinlan's string orchestra supplying the music for dancing.