AMUSEMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10242, 3 September 1909, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

"DAVID CARRICK."

"That's my son-in-law and I'm proud o£ him!" closed the presentation of "David Garrick" in the Opera House last night, but it also voiced the feeling of the large audience towards the Oamaru amateurs who had so splendidly triumphed over the difficulties with which the play bristled-. Ninety* nine of every hundred ticket-holders entered the theatre full of patronage and benevolence, and already casting about for the conventional lie on the morrow, but emerged with the unanimous and conventional phrase—*"! m surprised!" Players, orchestral Staging—all W ere well above the average, and being Well above became exceedingly good, and Mr S. J. Davys, the Druids 7 Hall Fund, Mr Burry, and the audience may be congratulated. As a prelude to the play an appropriate cur-tain-raiser was put on, and its excellence gave a foretaste of good things to come. ~ The plot is not severe. David and the heroine love each other, but never I meet; a scheming father persuades Garrick to cure love-sick daughter by pretending to be drunk, knowing that his daughter, who is a No-License advocate, will be horrified; David finds out too late the identity of the daughter,, but, having pledged his word, carries through his acting with the anticipated result; the daughter afterwards discovers the plot, and the last scene ends with Garrick telling her to go home, the father, who has been, hiding behind a screen, pronouncing a benediction which brins;3 down the curtain. Incidentally there is a duel) also a few other things. In very large measure it is a three-person play-, and one which might readily develop into a farce in incapable hands. David Garrick, of Drury Lane, found in Mr M. K. M'Cullough a conscientious exponent. In love or in wine Mr M'Cullough was worthy of the sustained applause he evoked, His acting was forcible and. his enunciation always clear. While blessed in talent by his residence in a prohibition district, he suffered thereby slightly from lack_ of object lessons* as his impersonation of a drunken actor had a shade too much roll in it —he leaves the stage without a deep stain on his sobriety. He overlooked the fact that in the good old days in which the plot is set gentlemen of the class from which Garrick was drawn remained gentlemen even when in wine. Mr S. J. Davys, as Alderman Gresham, the scheming father, whose heart softens strangely and effectively, lived up to his reputation. The part gave a rare opportunity which was admirably seized) alld it would be difficult to mention any flaw in his conception. If anything in. his role seemed overdone it was the sudden change in the last scene', which might have been avoided by a few more comments from behind the screen, if the . abridged version allowed therof. Miss D-. Piper Was the heroine in two senses. AS Violet she convinced critics that she was not born to blush unseen, and she had certainly a more congenial atmosphere than desert air. Although f ha possesses a charming break-in»%fae-Vbice, she kept it under co&tfol as a trump card—the metaphor is mixed, but the play was Capital. In the drunken scene she was struggling between prohibition and love, and did not make the best use of the chances afforded; otherwise her portrayal was most admirable. Hon. Tom Tallyhunt fell to the lot of Mr C. Piper, and the lot was well cast, for Mr Piper made a jolly "young' blood," thick in speech and unsteady in head. He was hardly a villain, but that was the fault of the author, who had arranged for a certain type and was fortunate in having his" idea entrusted to a capable exponent. If the remainder of the cast had not performed, so well, a generalisation might be attempted, but instead there must be special mention-. Mrs Davys was entrusted with all the virtues and seven children, ollly humor, which is a vice, not being awarded. She pleased all critics, and no fault could be named. Selina Sowerberry, an ancient maid of tender years, was delightfully impersonated by Miss G. Piper, a third member of a family demonstrating "histrionic ability." Tripping across the stage, waving an atrocious feather, or dropping a more atrocious curtsey, she was quite sufficient to surprise even a Garrick into soberness, Rumbelow (Mr G. Chisholm), Sowerberry (Mr H. . M'Dowell), and Simpkins (Mr N. G, Powell; were labelled "wholesale, retail, and for exportation," and whether in bulk or by sample exportation would have convinced any audience that Oamaru is not a back number in stage ability. John, as servant, and Davis, as valet, were entrusted to Messrs F. G. Williams and G. Watson with happy effect. John, however, was inclined to attempt to cram too much into his part without recognising that there was no escape-valve. The orchestra _ were entitled to the hearty appreciation received, and Mr Burry and his musicians shared in and contributed to a most enjoyable and successful entertainment.

SWEET NELL. The most important event in the theatrical history of Oamaru will be the appearance here on Friday night next and the one production here of Paul Kester's fascinating romantic comedydrama, "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." The occasion will also witness the first appearance here of a number of leading artists from England, including Messrs Claude King, Frederick Moyes, Conway Wingfield, Templar Powel, Colin Campbell, Miss Rosslyn Vayne, Marjone Chard, Madame Meredith, and Harriet French. Miss Stewart and company are enjoying the most successful tour yet experienced by one of J. C. Williamson's companies in New Zealand. Wonderful though their seasons in Wellington _ and Auckland were, the present Christchurch season is proving even more successful. Yesterday the whole of the theatre had-been booked up before one o'clock. The plans for Friday's performance will be opened on Tuesday morning next at half-past 8, at the Dresden.