ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15975, 21 July 1915, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"A SCRAPE 0' THE PEN." As a vehicle for the presentment of Scottish customs and Scottish types Mr. Graham Moffat's "A Scrape o' the Pen" is thoroughly good. As a play it Las weak points. It is lacking in action ; the plot is sketchy, and so slender as to scarcely extend in interest beyond the fir.=t act, though it is resuscitated quite skilfully in the third act; and, generally speaking, its dramatic moments are too few and far between. To the cosmopolitan "A Scrape o' the Pen " might appeal more successfully in book: form- —it has just that atmosphereyet to the true Scot, it must be conceded, its stage version will leave little to be desired. Small as th? audience was last night at His Majesty's Theatre, when the author and j his company produced the piece, for the 1 first time, the lavishness of the applause showed that it was appreciated. Mr. Moffat has gone back 40 years for his I period, and has revived not only some of the superstitions of Scottish folk of that j day, but also their quaint costumes and ; sayings. Of the characters and customs, i whilst they fit into this environment, most of them survive to this day. In the for- i mer category the plavwricht gives us the ■ Scottish prototypes for Darby and Joan > in Mattha and Leezie Inglis, developing I their personalities along humorous as well '■ as sentimental "lines. lhe old couple are: for ever bickering and making it up again, I and they have, too, their burden of | trouble to bear. They make a lovable | twain, in whatever mood they are taken, I They are the central figures in the play, j but." none the less, the remaining charac- I ters are true to life, and no jarring notes j are struck in the various contrasts pie- , sented. The second act is practically I entirely devoted to the illustration | of customs of the land of heather. ! There is the Bible-reading by the | dour old Mattha : the hogmanay, or New Year's Eve, ceremonials and beliefs ; the !i'ew Year's Day rejoicings the village wedding, and the home-coming of the I happy pair, including the breaking of the \ cake by the bridesmaid over the bride's head. With strict regard for detail, the little habits of hospitality invariably practised by the Scottish host and hostess are also introduced. Add that the orchestra plays almost every air known to the clans, and that in the company is an accomplished piper, and it will be realised that nothingunless it be the haggis is wanting to give zest to the entertainment from the Scotsman's point of view. Mr. Moffat himself plays Mattha. and is as convincing in the amusing phases of the role as in the affecting phases. Crotchety, proud, unbending, and even rigid, this old man has his tender emotions, and every now and then they sway him, and he becomes human. Mr. Moffat is an actor with the gift of intuition, and is naturally effective in this part because he understands the type, and is able to convey his own conception of it. Mrs. Moffat ably seconds him in the role of Leezie, Mattha's match for dourness, but with less of the crust of hardness covering her human feelings. Miss Mattie MaclellanT as Jean Lowther. does excellent work in a pathetic little study marked by judicious restraint. She also sings a lullaby sweetly. Mr. David Urquhart is distinctly droll as a paid mourner, who drops in to the wedding and partakes too -freely of the '•whuskey." Another well-played part is that of Alec Inglis. scapegrace" son of the old couple. Misses Margaret Noble. Jean Clyde. Winifred Moffat, and Gertie Henderson. Messrs. Abie Barker and Alec G. Hunter sustain the remaining principal roles with ability. "A-Scrape o' the Pen " will be repeated nightly this week, and at a matinee on Saturday. PATRIOTIC ENTERTAINMENT. The Town Hall was crowded last night, when an exhibition of fancv dancing by children was given, in aid of the Hospital Skip and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The programme, which was arranged bv the Misses Beresford, was opened by the playing of a selection of Irish airs by Miss Ber-?sfo-d's orchestra. In this item some good work was noticeable. It was followed by a chorus entitled Ireland." , Miss Grace Norcott being a capable soloist. The same may be said of Miss Rita Madden, in her song, " Belgium," , in which she was joined by a choir of , girls from St. Benedict's. Dancing was the main feature of the entertainment and some stirring national dances were executed- An American dance, by Alma Knight and Dudley Ramson, was a clever performance. Miss Maude Moynihan's ' Russian waltz and her leading" of the fairy ballet, in which some of Miss Beresford's pupils took part, proved her to be an accomplished dancer. The toe dancing of Miss Florrie Lynch was a feature of ■ the evening. The combined dancing of Miss Beresford's girls and the girls of St. Benedict's was enhanced by a judicious vse of the national flags and by effective stage lighting and dresses. The boys , of St. Patrick's Convent gave a fine , irterp relation of the song, " Britain's Soldiers," the soloist being Master Lack. "The Boy with the Sailor Cap," was the name of a song and dance presented by Misses Agnes Ibbotson, Maude Moynihan and Florrie Lynch, Miss May Bain gave . an Irish humorous sketch and Mr. Wight--1 man McCombe appeared as an exponent of quaint Scotch humour and characterisation. A Russian folk dance was given in realistic fashion by Misses Audrey Dickinson and Maude Moynihan and the final item of the evening, comprising " Tipperary " and " The March of All Nations," was one calculated to stir the patriotism of the audience, the soloist being Master Stanley Madden.

During the second half, Mr. M. J. Sheahan, on behalf of the ladies of St. Benedict's, presented Miss Beresford with a pair of serviette rings.

OPERA HOUSE. The varied and interesting programme submitted to patrons of the Opera House • was well received by a large audience last '' evening. The chief "turn" is a sharpshooting performance by the Rosie Rifle Club. Many difficult feats are executed by the performers, whose skill with the rifle earned ' them rounds of applause. Arthur Douglas, the Scotch comedian, and "Victor the Great," rentriloquist. were other artists who fo'md favour with the audience. The same programme will be given this evening. KING GEORGE THEATRE. The second instalment of '* The Master Key," a thrilling story concerning the lost plans of a rich gold mine, was the chief picture in the current programme screened at the King George Theatre yesterday. The film attracted a large attendance of patrons, and proved remarkably popular. Two prospectors are partners in a mining venture, and one makes a lucky find, which he conceals from his mate. The treachery is discovered, and in the fight which ensues one of the men is left for dead. The | plans of the mine are lost, and the storyj deals mainly with the location of the mine I and settlement of the feud which exists between the two prospectors. The picture was admirably staged, and the photography is excellent. Among the supporting pictures was an interesting drama, " The Millionaire Engineer." GRAFTON THEATRE. At the Grafton Theatre to-night the Rev. \V. G. Monckton will give an illustrated lecture on " The War of the. Dardanelles." A portion of the proceeds will go to the Patriotic Fund. The lecture will be illustrated, and will bo in addition to the attractive picture programme now being presented.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. " The Slave Girl " is the chief film at the Globe Theatre. Romance of a Night" heads the programme at the Queen's Theatre. "The Middleman" is the chief film at the Lyric and West Knd Theatres. "England's Menace" heads the current series at the Grand Theatre. '" Guzzle Rivals Jonah " is the star attraction at the King's Theatre. " Money " is the chief film at the Princess Theatre,