MR CYRIL MAUDE’S GRUMPY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9824, 22 November 1917, Page 6

MR CYRIL MAUDE’S GRUMPY

. WORLD’S GREATEST CHARACTER ACTOR. The coming of So famous a- theatrical personage as Mr Cyril Maude must be regarded as an event of the nrst importance. As is generally known, Mr Cyril Maude will make his first appearance here on Tuesday next, at the Grand Opera House, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, JLud., 4 tn his astonishing performance cd •‘Grumpy,” in the play of that name. The critic of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph” writes of Mr Maude in the part as follows—: "The Grumpy of Mr Cyril Maudo is such an extraordinarily realistic bit of character acting that the wonderful manipulation of tfeo part is littlo short 'of bewildering. Garrulous, cantankerous, doddering, shrewd, but altogether lovable, tno quaint old personality captures the <vudience the moment he make s his appearance. With all the keenness and cunning which make'him one of themost brilliant criminal lawyers of the day, glimmering under the wheezy senility of old age, Grumpy is drawn with suoh consummate skill that the actor is overshadowed in the picture ho makes.” A rare exposition of perfect artistry. The story of tho play, -which i s the joint authorship ot Messrs T. Wigney Percival and Horace Hedges, the authors of “Sunday," deals with the theft of a diamond ot enormous value from Grumpy’s nephew. A white camellia, tied with tho hair of Grumpy’s maid, and presented to the nephew earlier in the evening becomes the chief clue of the theft. How the astute, old octogenarian traces the diamond and finally recovers it, and subsequently brings the thief'and would-be murderer to justice is sensationally depicted in the play. A specially selected company, chiefly consisting of English artists, will support Mr Maude. The appearance of such a world-famous actor as Mr Maude in such a remarkable play should prove a powerful theatrical magnet that should draw in an exceptional way for the five nights for which the play is announced. The bax plan will be opened * or “Grumpy” only at the Bristol tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock.