ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6490, 9 April 1908, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE OPERA HOUSE.

“THE MORALS OF MARCUS." Tho play Mr Flemming presented to a large audience last evening is not the class of dramatic goods which any company c*.m really afford to keep in bond or in their store rooms os a stock piece. It is alive with incident; its literary merits are of a character that carry one's thoughts back a decade or so when comedy ditxma woe not farcical. William J. Locke's play “Tho Morals of Marcus" is a simple enough, story, but it is told charmingly. The language employed at times closely approaches brilliancy, and the diAdogue is often pungently epigrammatic. There is no scene overdrawn; no situation bizarre. In fine, the piece is an admirably constructed specimen of a clever playwright's astute c iAif tern a n ship, for it is fitted to adequate stage representations in a manner rarely found in -these days. It seems quite a. pity that Mr Flemming’s, talented company should hUro kept so much of thejr best wine until now.

The plot can b© summed up in. a few words. A middle-aged philosopher, who : imacrines that h© has parsed the time of life when "affairs of the heart” should be taken into consideration, finds Uimrtelf compelled to give shelter and succour to a homeless waif who has -been enticed t:- leave far away Syria ior England. Gradually this waif, who develops into a very attractive young lady, with all tho winsomeness of her original nature, and added to it a spice of tho "enfant terrible.” becomes U part of tho philosopher’s inmost being. By carefully planned, and malevolently carried out schemes, the?e two are srmaratod, and it is not until then that Marcus, whose moral relations with tho ■wuif have been looked askance at by his society friends, finds out to what extent sh© has become a part of his life. As ought to bo tho case, the shadows, in tho end, are dir,, sinated, tod Marcus and tho waif, when the.curtain falls, arc on such terms that tho audience could leave tho theatre nothing doubting but that the future happiness of the hero and heroin© was assured. Nothing except in th© vfixy of praise can be said of th© staging, dressing, and acting. The settings in each of th© four acts wore entirely suitable to the scenes and situatioms, and tho stag© grouping was evidently U woll thought out portion of the production. Mids Guilford-Ouin, who played as CariotvM (tho waif), had in previous production*} ehown us that she intuitively possesses many of. the attributes that mole© for success in comedy and in drama of tho lighter style. Her playing last cvonlng strongly emphasised .all the good opinions th*xt had been formed of her. Miss Beatrice Day, as Judith Mamwaring, had a part that was hardly calculated to enlist tho sympathies of th© audience, and was to that extent a thanklew one. But Mis© Day vs thorougn in ail hor work, and even when she is required to personify an objectionable sort of individual she docs eo admirably. Miss Joan Blair gave a clever sketch of an elderly French housekeeper, her broken English being particularly jrell assumed. Mr A, S. Homewood, as Marcus, was entirely suited. He presented to the audience the -philosophical cynic ■who becomes gradually reconciled to the rationalities of lifo very truthfully in accordance with the author's drawing of the character. Mr W. J. Montgomery s delineation- of tho part of Seßiotian Pasqualo was a fine piece of acting throughout. The remaining parts were very satisfactorily filled. ... , “The Morals of Marcus will be repeated to-night. _

AMATEUR DRAMATICS.

“FACING THE MUSIC.”The Victoria College Students’ Association last night produced J. H. Damley's three-act farce-comedy “ Facing the Music.” The audience filled the Town Hall Concert Chamber. Forcing of effect occasionally marred a good scene, but, taken 1 generally, the performers sustained their roles admirably, and extracted nearly all the laughter which could be squeezed out of this rollicking story of coincidences and mistakes. John Smith, of Flat No. 19, Mona. Mansions, stays out all one,. night, and his wife unexpectedly returns early next morning. Tho loving, spouse of the E-ey. John Smith, curate (who had just hired a flat in Mona Mansions) arrives home from Scotland about midnight, and takes possession of Mr John Smith's fiat. Complications, naturally arise. At .last John Smith, after temporising hy lying, takes refuge in the truth —and all Ss well.

Miss Olivo Mooro as Mrs Ponting, a typical .London landlady, never lost her grip of the part, and ner presence on the stage was always welcome. Mr Frederick VV. Roberts, who had the best of opportunities as Mr John Smith, wais not convincing, mainly on account of tho extraordinary ton© of voice he affected. He did well in other respects. Another offender in tho same way was Dr D. N. Isaacs, who “made-up" admirably and acted well aa the Rev. John Smith. As Dick Desmond, Mr E. Lyon gave a natural and unaffected study. Mr Alex. W. Newton, as Colonel Smith, was convincing and _ humorous. Mr Frcdk. A. de la Maro played the "heavy” ploiceman excellently.JMlss May Newman, as Mabel, the curate's wife, and Miss Lena Lennox, in the rplo of Mrs John provided tho ‘background against which the farce-picture was prominently .displayed. Miss Mildred Longton, as an actress from the Bijou Theatre, did well. An .excellent string orchestra, under Miss Etholwyn Kirk's ukrection, provided several t good selections, while Mr F. H. Robert® was responsible for tho suitable scenery. The ‘'director-in-chief" was Mr Frcdk. W. Roberts, who, in addition, to sustaining a leading role, kept tho production running with more than ordinary smoothness. Tho comedy will bo repeated ’to-night.' THEATRE ROYAL. The loading attractions at this theatre include the vocal trios by the Harmonious Hushams, Eva Lee and her piccaninnies, and Hugh Lloyd's performance on tho tight-rope. The performance will be repeated to-night. HIS MAJESTY'S. The announcement that a new set ot films, imported direct from tho Lyceum Theatre, Sydney, would bo shown at His Majesty's Theatre last evening drew a crowded audience. The new series pro v bably excels previous ones shown by the management. Views of tho new French military airship were specially attractive. The comic films comprised many humorous creations. t Tho programme will be repeated to-night.

The Thorndon Cycle and Touring Club held a smote concert at Freeman's rooms last evening for the purpose of bidding 'farewell to Mr John Stork, who is leaving for Sydney to-morrow. Mr C. H. Izard, M.P., presided over a largo gathering of members and friends. Mr Izard, on behalf of the club, presented Mr Stork with a travelling companion.