“MESSAGE FROM MARS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 7

“MESSAGE FROM MARS”

PLIMMEB-HALL COMEDY COMPANY. The revival of "A Message from Mars” by the Plimmer-Hall Comedy Company at the Grand Opera Bouse last evening enabled this strong dramatic organisation to be seen in a most favourable light.. Indeed all things considered, we do not think the company could have' made a better selection for their reappearance in Wellington- The audience was. of satisfactory dimensions, and the cleverlyrwritten comedy was immensely enjoyed. The first act provided a continuous ripple of merriment- This was in no ' small measure due to the thoroughly natural way in which Mr Harry Plimmer adapted himself to the stedfastly selfish attitude of the comfortably placed scientist who can see no reaeon in anything which does not concern Meows particular plans and ideas of enjoyment. The tart rejoinder* given by Horace Barker—for that is the name of the scientist—to all attempts to tear him from his cosy / fireside and the speculative magazine article about, the, planet Mars were given as if he really was firmly convinced that the whole world were in league to interfere with his sensible, contemplation of matters of the utmost moment. ■ j The story will be easily recalled. Parker obstinately declines to accompany his fiancee and aunt to a ball In the cold and-snow,-, ho refuses aid. to a broken-down engineer -sent to him by a friend and altogether he revels in selfishness which he' mistakes for absolute common sense. Ho is loft by the fireside to. slumber over hrs Hare article until aroused by a messenger from the other, planet with a special mission to teach him practical lessons, to secure his reformation. He goes out into the London . streets; under compulsion with his strange Visitor, who is armed with dynamic forces which command obedience. ’ Kid eyes are gradually, opened to the; misery existing, around _Mm and the good that ho can-do if he is eo minded, and when/ his philanthropic sensibilities are thoroughly roused he Is returned to hie house a new man. Then he wakes from hie sleep to find it has been all a dream, but the impressions made on him have been eo vivid that he immediately turns over a new leaf and .spreads happiness around. • ■

■ While Mr Plimmar wu distinctly good in his role, Mr. Winter Hall, wag equally, well placed as the Messenger, declaiming has lines -with just sufficient force and tendency■ to monotony to surround him with an atmosphere of strangeness befitting the inhabitant of another globe. Mr Vivian Edwards waa an adroit American of the. obliging order as Arthur Dicey, and Mr Papl Latham gave an excellent character study as the tramp. Miss Eva Shanahan made a particularly, amiable Minnie Templar, the prospective wife of Parker, and Miss Beatrice - Day was an admirable Aunt Martha, who rates the selfish man In well-set terms. The minor parts were air well filled, and altogether a delightful performance resulted.'* The music was supplied from two pianos by Mrs Winter Hall and Miss Eima Young, their contributions being well selected and arranged for the two instruments- “ The Message from Mars' will be repeated this evening. •