HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 69

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

" The Flood Tide."

Drama, as staged by Mr Bland Holt a% His Majesty's Theatre, continues to draw large audiences. Another change of fare was presented on the Bth in a piece by Cecil Releigh entitled "The Flood Tide," and this had a most approving reception. The play has not altogether inaptly been described as a melo-farce, for the comedy element • in it is in decided prominence, and some of the situations and the general thread of the plot are of the farcical order. However, if it is not sensational in the lurid sense that melodrama often is, " The Flood Tide " is sufficiently replete with incident to satisfy the most exacting devotee of th<» theatre," and has at lea^t one big tvgn=atio:ial ecene sufficient to tax all the re-ource* of stagecraft. As borne people may remember to ha\e heard, rhere h a tide m tho affair, of men which, taken at the flood, leadb on to fortune. In the play under diicu^ion the plot, which is complicated in the familiar manner of the comedy which turn, on impersonation-* and false identities, hinge^ on the desire of several 1 character-, to make the most of the floodtide which they j»epm to perceive in the circumstance that a diamond millionaire named Thomson has taken his passage from South Africa to Southampton, but has apparently roiled the steamer, though his luggag® is booked aafely through. Thus the adventurous Baronets Patchioli and her charm injr daughter Maria conceive the brilliant idea, of taking the rooms engaged for the millionaire at a Brighton hotel, and passing: themselves off as his mother-in-law a-nd his wife respectively. This they do with a good deal of success. To explain why George Wellington Clipp, being honest and well-meaning, impersonates Thomson himself would take time, but it is enough that, he does so, a-nd for the good purpose of saving the father of his fiancee, Polly Champion, from disgrace. Needless to say, when, the masquerading Mr Thomson nu-cta the masquerading Mrs Thomson situation-^ of excellent stage possibilities d«Aelop. Thf cream of the joke lk-s in the fact that the missing millionaire has really come acioa-i to England »v the same ship \w.h hn

tvggage, though, being under a false name and most of his time in a state of hopeless intoxication, he is not recognised. It is' along road round to the point where the befuddled millionaire's identity is- disclosed, and he comes into his own; but the dramatist has evolved the happiest of denouements for almost everybody, not excluding the designing Baroness and her daughter, aaid only excepting the wicked Italian who attempts the life of Thomson, and, after making a terrible muddle of the business, is apparently swept away in a flood. The great flood scene .provides the most striking spectacle in the play, the audience not requiring much effort of imagination to see the lonely house at Blackmere swept away by the bursting, of a dam, with the millionaire and the man who has impersonated him. clinging to. the roof, through which they have .burst to escape the murderous attack of a desperado. The play has for the rest a. strong flavour of the turf, and a most effective racecourse scene is introduced, in which an exciting finish is witnessed. A military aspect it has also in the scenes in which a young soldier, the son of a publican, who by me«t has won advancement, figures ; and there is real interest in the little drama, of which this " character is made the centre, which, involves an example of army " ragging," and holds snobbery up to deserved contempt. The play, like all the Bland Holt produc- i tions, is staged on a most lavish scale, and many most effective' stage pictures end tabkaue are presented. Ite general effect throughout is one of great animation, for the action is never allowed to pause, and

the- stage is frequently crowded. The. acting was. all that could' hz desired. As. the Patchioli, .Miss Harrie Ireland had fiome excellent opportunities, and revealed her real capacity as an actress in a clever and convincing impersonation. The Baroness is ar interesting character, and 3uer gowns irresistibly command, attention. Mies Jennie Pollock was entirely pleasing as the- rather unfortunate daughter of this ■chemer, while Mies Muriel Dale was graceful and natural aa Mabel Gorry, daughter oi Colonel Corry, who appeals to the audi-

enr-e by her good taste in preferring as a husband a soldier who has more to boast of :u his. merit than in his birth. Mr Max 'axweli, as Captain Champion, the soldier question, acted in a manly and satisfying

iaa.ii ion; while Mr Charles . Brown was de0 Jedly ref reshing in -the part of the elder Champion, the bluff and invigorating -publican referred to. Mr Godfrey Gass as Colonel Corry and Mr Leslie Woods as an

aristocratic young military prig made/the most of their parte One of the most amusing characters- in the play is Thomson rthe millionaire himself, who is never seen

in a really dear and sober- state of mind don the"' stage, generally appearing in the role of a dipsomaniac without his boots. However, the absurdity attaching to such a creation did not i .'event its providing Mr .t.rthur Styan wit! some capital opportunities, and these he put to clever use, providing some- irresistible touches of" most natural comedy, and' sustaining hie impersonation admirably. Last, but not least, Mr and. Mrs Blanch Holt appeased respectively as George Wellington. €lipp and his sweetheart {Poßy Champion)? and provided ™ audience with much.amyeement. Clipp, «n masquerading as the millionaire, has •oxne queer experiences, and' Mir Blend Holt's characteristic drollery in ail humorous- stage situations had an admirable foil in Mrs Holt's natural and matter-of-fact impersonation of the- excellent and quick-witted Polly. TJie play' met with a reception auguring well for its future appearances.