HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 69

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

"BEAUTY AND THE BARGE." It is not too much to say of the humour of Mr W. W. Jacobs that it carries with it a real breath of ozone—a stimulating and health-giving product of a multitude of odoriferous and dubious-looking seaside ingredients. It is good to be led from the hackneyed theatrical path to enjoy for a space the breezy company of some of the genial author's seafaring tvpes. Mr Jacobs reminds us of the fact that there is nothing like the sea for developing character, either in those who go down to it or in those who live beside it. There is much meaning in the expression, " a sad sea dog." Moreover, the views on life entertained by Bailonnan or bargee, redolent &§ they are of tar and suggestive of long dls* lances, are in many lights instructive diverting. Such reflections are the natural accompaniment of a stag© revival of " Beauty and the Barge," which will bo remembered as cne of the last comedies produced here by the late Robert Brouffh. The play is in many ways an admirable pieco of work, delightful for the natural manner in which frankly absurd situations are evolved, and abounding in breezy optimism and irresistible humour. The dialogue, whether it be of the bargee vernacular or the drawing room order, lias a decided sparkle, and altogether the comedy is about as wholesome a stage stimulant to good humour as one could mention. The experiences of the barge skipper, Captain James Barley, illustrate how the possession of even an engaging virtue in a superlative degree may lead to a certain personal discomfiture. As a man of the world the skipper knows this perfectly well, of course, but gallantry is his second nature. In his quaint philosophy ho sums it up unerringly in his parting soliloquy : " Haffability—that's wot it is! No 'ami—too much Haffability." True to the instincts of his calling, the gallant but elderly skipper, who, in his reminiscences has commanded liners and by his heroism at sea kept his country (rem depopulation, has an appreciative eyo- for a trim oraft in petticoats wherever found, and when the opportunity comes of smuggling off in his barge the pretty runaway, Ethel Smedley, he likes the adventure well. He does not calculate on the scheming of the various meddlers who figure in the story, and, as he bowls along in the " Heart in Hand by the grassy meadow banks, recks not of the surprise packet reposing under hatches in the guise of Mrs Baldwin, whose affections lie has somewhat blighted. The great, denouement consists in the appearance of the bedraggled widow at the very moment when the captain is exercising all his art to commend himself to hie pretty passenger. The apparition which rises from the hold denounces him as a corsair and a flortinc whited sepulchre and 50 other things, end with the appearance of Miss Ethel's papa the captain realises that he must lay a different course, n.n<l promptly, to the beet of his ability he assumes the role of benignant preserver. The barge episode is as pretty as it is droll, and happily terminates one of the most entertaining comedies of its kind. "Beautv and the Barge" as presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening by Mr Allan Hamilton's Dramatic Company, drew a holiday audience which taxed the capacity of the building, and had a most appreciative reception. The company showed itself quite capable of doing the comedy an adequate measure of justice. The audience saw a more boisterous version of the play than that previouslv given here, but one would not say that the members of the company went too far in broadening their comedy under the circumstance*-. Mr Charles Brown, wellknown to Jocal theatregoers in many a comedy role in the past, took the allimportant part of Captain Barley, and took it well. He gave an impersonation full of rollicking humour. drollery, and good spirits, and ihe little, touch of resignation with which the captain accepts tin? inevitable was thoroughly artistic. In contrast to the roguish rkipper was the irascible Major Smedley. played with ample vigour by Mr Robert Greig Miss Beatrice Holloway appeared to excellent advantage as the pretty and self-willed Ethel Smedley, and Mr Kenneth Brampton made good use of his apportunities as Lieutenant Seton-Boyne, who ships on the barge as a deck hand in ord«r fco be near the young lady. Mi- J. F. Forde created much hilarity in Ids old part of Tom Codd, the portly mate who is smitten with a mysterious internal complaint, while Mr Richard Bellairs gave a good character study in the part of the sir'/niciou-; and designing gardener John Dibbs. Miss Katie Towers took capitally the role of the lugubrious Mrs Baldwin. and Miss Muriel Dale h« M-s Porter ,f the "Old Ship"), Miss Lucy Dallas (as tho fail- cousin!, and Mr Hilbard Vox (as the rather ill-used Manners) were a!! quite equal to the demands made upon them. Mr Wilton Welch's landlord was amusing as a freak pure and simple, while Mr Stuart Clyde seized his opportunities well as the third hand, Augustus. The comedy is excellently staged, and the scene in which the tan-sailed barge is introduced is most pleasingly picturesque.