A BOXING COMEDY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 960, 9 March 1917, Page 2

A BOXING COMEDY.

UREN SPOILS THE PLAY. Apparently Mr B. L. Baker is still "falling down'' in his selection of American boxers for the Australian market. One of his latest importations made his first appearance in Sydney on February 24, and the result was such that Dick Stephens, one of the Sydney "'Sun's"' boxing clitics, waxed sarcastic. This is what Mr Stephens had to say: Intended as a willing and exciting encounter by Stadiums, Ltd., and expected by an unusually large audience, for these times, to be a bout of thrilling happenings, the match at Bushcutters Bay between Mr Tom Uren, welter and middleweight champion of Australia, and Mr Jack Coyne, an American welterweight, resolved itself into a comedy. The visitor was the comedian, and apparently the spectators thoroughly enjoyed his performance. But, just as some actors jar on an audience, so Uren persisted in upsetting the humorous effect, and he spoilt the play in the eighth act, after Inspector Jones had signalled that the performance was to end. From the time Mr Coyne entered the ring the crowd commenced to laugh, lie was covered with a multi-coloured and well-flowered dressing-gown, and afler rubbing his feet on the floor between twenty and thirty times he took his seat. It was his first appearance on tin' Stadium stage in the real work of his profession, and, like some other great artists, lie appeared to feel his position keenly. The lads in the bleacher seats tittered and made remarks at the gown, which disconcerted the visitor all the more. The stage manager, Arthur Scott, took the boards, and after giving the principals a few preliminary instructions he ordered the curtain to he rung up, and the comedy, which might have borne the title "(bud bye. Mr Coyne," was commenced. As handsome as a beauty actor, well

proportioned, and erect, the visitor presented a stage presence that was all that coul.l ho desired, lie advanced towards Mr Uren, who was apparently set on putting a damper on Mr Baker's theatrical enterprise. Mr Coyne tapped lightly with his left, and did some new step in the way of dancing, but Mr Uren most viciously ran up to him and touched him on the body and over the ears with his gloves. The audience sat up, Mr Coyne did some more fancy dancing, and the audience veiled with delight. The first, act over, and the interval concluded, the principals stepped to the footlights again. Someone called out, " Wake up, America! " Another said "Loafer! " A third yelled "Knock him out, Tom.'' Mr Uren would persist in punching the visitor. Hut the audience also enjoyed this, and the remaining acts. In the fifth and sixth sessions there was uproarious merriment on the part of the onlookers. One remarked "Hooray!" another advised Mr Coyne to "Get off." When Mr Uren delivered blows in the sixth and seventh rounds, and nearly sent the visiting actor to the floor, the crowd again laughed. There was more dancing and amusing movements, which were much appreciated. When Mr Coyne was knocked down a few times, the audience still laughed, and generally they thoroughly enjoyed the production. The performance was for only one night. A steamer, bound for America, is sure to sail soon, and the Coyne Comedy Company will probably depart with it.