THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14239, 4 July 1910, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

HUGH WARD COMPANY. "The Girl from Rector's," paid a short visit to the Theatre Royal on baturday night and such was ner attractiveness as set forth in the press notices that the theatre was filled to ; overflowing. Long before 8 o'clock ! e\ jry seat was occupied, but though , the influence of the newspapers mi- • doubtedly caused an extra squeeze of i late comers, hundreds were not turn;ed away. Paul Potter's comedy is an j extravaganza of the first water. I Among other things it presupposes a I lady who is a member of a fast New I lork set for nine months of the vear I and a demure model wife for the | mainmg three months. It makes her I an example of all the virtues to her I husband and still gives her a nature so complex that she is apparently, I madly in live with a Richard O'Shaughnessy. Practically all the charac- ; ters have similar weaknesses, all have two faces, lead double lives, prate of honour and virtue when, it suits them, make up their minds to be good ever after with the same nonchalance with which they drink their favourit* beverage fiz Zl and turn off their doubtful past with the same ease with which one turns off a tap. The play is vivacious, though its patter is full to satiety with old saws, its denouement can he discerned acts ahead. Though, in itself it has little to recommend it, yet its doubtful passage* are not noticed in the artistic handling of the situation; its quips and jests have the freshness of the newlylaid, and its climaxes have a louder bang and rise to a greater height than was anticipated. Miss Grace Palotta was at her best as the Girl from Rector's, ease and dignity combined with the sprightliness of the girl about town made her an ideal Loute and she was frequently warmly applauded. Mr Aubrey Mallalieu was suitably placed as Richard O'Shaughnessy, the young man who likes Loute but loves another. He took his part with all the impressment of living "the life."Mr "William White, Richard's valet, made an admirable foil and Confidential man, and Mr Reginald Wykeham played the sponge with the all tenacious qualities of the leech. Mr Hugh Ward was inimitable the Professor who experienced the tender passion late in life and his occasional lapses into the commonplace from the contemplations of science caused many a ripple over the house. Miss Oelia Ghiloni and Miss Ruby .Baxter, mother-in-law and wife <of Richard took their exacting parts with ease, Miss Ghiloni making an admirable chaperon. Miss Maud Chetwynd made a fascinating lady's maid and with Miss Florence Redfern and Miss Jessie King gave a pretty dance at the end of the third act which received an ovation. Mr Robert Creig was admirably placed as Judge Caperton and Mr Lawrence Hardinge made a typical French waiter with eyes to see but sees not. The story of the plot was worked out tin four acts, the, dresses were up to the' company's high standard and an efficient orchestra helped greatly to the enjoyment and success of the evening. SueE a play in less capable hands would be not only vulgar but touching on the borderland of the dangerous; as it j was, it got an entrmsiastio reception, I and the all round evenness of the i caste rounded slippery corners, with jj tact and finesse. i