“THE SERIOUS FAMILY,”

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9138, 8 November 1890, Page 2

“THE SERIOUS FAMILY,”

Mr Toole gave Wellington playgoers a treat last night by producing at the Opera House Morris Barnett’s comedy “ The Serious Family.” A treat, we say, because ” The Serious Family,” although now half a century old, remains one of the best of modern comedies, and has kept Its popularity over sines it was first produced (with Buckstone as Aminadab Sleek) in 1849. In the meantime it has achieved further success in another form, having been sesthetioised by Mr Barnand and produced as " The Colonel.” The part of Sleek, although not a very large one, has been played by many great actors, and colonials who can remember Mr William Hoskins have a very lively remembrance of bice in that particular character. Mr Toole, who played it last night, did so in excellent style, and added another to his euoceates. In his hands Sleek is the perfection of sly canting hypocrisy, and every detail of the portraiture was tilled In with a masterly hand. The company which sup. ports Mr Toole always does so with such completeness that it would almost be sufficient to say that all the other parts were well played. However, Mr Lowne deserves special mention for his Charles Torrens, and Miss Eliza Johnstone was artistic as usual in Lady Sowetby Creamly. Mr Billington was a dashing enough Captain Murphy Maguire, and showed keen appreciation of the humour of the character, bnt the rapidity of bis utterance is confusing. The comedy went splendidly with the audience, who called the principal performers before the curtain at the end of each net. On the last of these occasions Mr Toole (or rather Aminadab Sleek) took occasion to remark that “there would be another lecture next evening, when no charge would be made for admission; but that, in order to defray expenses, a collection would be taken up at the door.” The performance concluded with the petite drama “Off the Line,” the author of which is Mr Clement Scott, the famous London critic. This ia one of the most charming little pieces of its class existing, and although it only treats of one little chapter in the history of an engine-driver and bis wife, Mr Seott has put a wonderful amount of character, bnmonr, and pathos into that brief episode. As Harry Coke Mr Toole was seen at his best, and Mias Eliza Johnstone’s representation of Mrs Coke was a piece of acting that should be Been to be appreciated. Miss Vanbrugh and Messrs Westland and Shelton filled in the other parts efficiently. The same bill will be repeated to-night.