ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13370, 27 December 1906, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

BROUGH-FLEMMING COMEDY COMPANY. The new comedy by W. Gayer Mackay and Robert Orel, "Dr. Wake's Patient," was selected as the opening piece for the return season of the Brough-Flemming Comedy Company, and whim the curtain rose last night there was a. crowded house. It is now some 12 months since the company appeared here. The success of the piece was, perhaps, almost entirely due to the fine and sincere interpretations by the principals of •the types introduced by the collaborators. The play has some very humorous situations, founded on what is quite a little comedy of errors, and the fabric of the whole is admirably put together. Mr. Flemming's realisation of the old Devonshire farmer was a finished study, bringing out with admirable clearness the intense inherent pride of the man, the bulldog tenacity of purpose, and.. the lion-like strength of will of the real British yeoman. Farmer Wake's son, the eminent young London doctor, subsequently knighted, falls in love with a true-hearted English girl, Lady Gerania, daughter of the Earl of St. Olbyn, and when it comes to the refusal of the earl to countenance the engagement because of the doctor's '"impossible" parents, the real art of the piece is displayed, and Mr. Flemming has-his finest opportunity. There is a remarkably fine scene where the farmer comes to realise that he might be a drag on his brilliant son, and humbles himself to the earl, offering to go away and efface himself, in order that the happiness of the young people may be' assured. Miss Beatrice Day,, as Lady Gerania, has seldom played better.. She takes the part of a bright, jolly, English girl, swayed only by her, own true heart, who decides to live out her life as love dictates, and the interpretation was an excellent one. In direct contrast is the part of the Countess of St. Olbyn, mother of Lady Gerania. The drawing is a merciless piece of satire, and the character is that of a nervous, fretful woman, whom nothing will please. Mrs. Brough's impersonation was a specimen of her finest work, and she imparted to it a degree of talent that made the character stand out prominently. The part of Dr. Wake is somewhat conventionally drawn; in fact, it has been chiselled out on certain hard, clear cut lines, and Mr. Carter Pickford had little else offered him but to follow the plan laid down by the creators. As a good-hearted commonsense, upright, and honourable character there was little fault to find, with it, and Mr. Piekford gave it its due value in. this respect, but the love scenes • are rather stereotyped and melodramatic. As the Earl of St. Olbyn, Mr. Norman McKeown had a somewhat conventional part.. He played it well throughout. There was opportunity in the scene, the battle of pride between the two fathers, for truly dignified and artistic acting, and Mr. McKeown, while putting in some excellent work, was rather inclined to follow too closely the conventional drawing. Mr. Gregau McMahon is a very fine character-actor, but he was hardly- • suited in the part of Duff Wynterden, the somewhat brainless nephew of the earl. Miss Gordon Lee made rather a serious " face " over her part of Harriet Bronson. It is a.character that would well stand some of the humorous touches that were noticeable in her former impersonations. As Mrs. Wake, the kind-hearted, lovable mother, Miss Major was splendid., and the ready applause of the audience she drew was well merited. A capital little side issue was introduced in the part of the assertive Mrs Murdoch and Miss Emma Temple made of it a very fine study. The minor parts were in capable hands, and the comedy was beautifully mounted, the scene in front of the Bay Hotel at Seton Burr coming in for especial commendation. At the end of the third act numerous floral tributes were conveyed to the lady principals, Mis. Brough receiving almost more j than she could cany.

" Dr. Wake's Patient" will be repeated this evening.

OPERA HOUSE

The Opera House was packed in all parts last evening, when another entertaining programme was presented by Fuller's Minstrel and Vaudeville Company. A number of good turns were submitted, including the appearance of Apollo Belvidere, billed as a ljving bronze statue, posing with beautiful lighting effects and accessories. The item was especially attractive, as were also the contributions by the numerous artists who make up lie excellent combination. Patrons are promised a varied and interesting programme this evening.

During the last few years the Taranaki Hospital Board (says the Taranaki Herald), by dint of unceasing labour, have been able to wipe off a debit balance of £4000, and to-day in its stead there is a substantial credit balance of no .'ess than £600, This result is all the. more praiseworthy when it is taken into consideration that dining this period there has been an exceptionally heavy extraordinary expenditure. The First Battalion Band has arranged a moonlight excursion for the 28th 'inst., the Osprey having been chartered foi the occasion. The proceeds are to go towards meeting tljo expenses of attending the Christchursh. Exhibition , contest.