THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF MISS BROWN."

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5156, 13 November 1912, Page 5

THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF MISS BROWN."

The Hamilton Cornua Club, following their usual practice, provided entertainment for the crowd attracted to the town by the show, by staging the bright and highly amusing comedy “ The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown.” '1 he attendance was moat satisfactory for a first night performance; but the hall was by no means full. The audience were delighted with the production, which is an effervescent absurdity of the “Charlie’s Aunt” order, sparkling with humour, and what it lacks in the shape of brilliant dialogue is compensated for by the large measure of hearty fun provided. Trie performance was a most creditable one to the society, and though, perhaps, it would not be strictly correct to say that better acting has never been seen in Hamilton, we are certainly justified in saying that no more even amateur exhibition has ever been given here, The standard of acting was high throughout, and there was not a weak spot in the caste, as usually the ease amongst amateurs. A good deal of mystery surrounds Miss Brown, who, as a matter of fact, does not appear on the programme. Miss Angela Brightwell, a ward in Chancery, runs away from a boarding school and hurriedly marries Capt. Courtenay, a youthful officer in the 41st Lancers. No sooner is the wedding ceremony

over than the representative of her legal guardian and the mistress of the school appear, and carry her off to the school again, where she is closely watched. Courtenay, in order that he might assist his bride to escape from the unwelcome attentions of the mistress, and lake her place as his wife, is introduced to the school and accepted as a pupil, disguised as a girl, under the name of Mias Brown, and from the moment she arrives there she turns the household upside down, and her vagaries are productive of much hilarity. Everything straightens itself out in the end, and in view of Courtenay’s sudden accession to a title and estates his offence is condoned by the bride’s guardian, and the law is appeased by some generous palm-greasing which the detective from Scotland Yard considers amply sufficient vindication. The part of Miss Romney, of Cicero House Academy, was most effectively taken by Mrs J. A. Going, the haughty, unbending, hystaical schoolmistress being admirably pourtrayed. Miss Emily Roche made a charming Angela Brightwc.il, and her performance gives evi .once of considerable ability in this direction. One of the greatest successes of the evening was that of Miss Whitburn, who took the part of Mrs U’Gallagher in a delightfully sympathetic manner. The only regret of the audience was that she faded out of the picture at such an early stage of the proceedings. Mr Aubrey Chitty fitted the part of Major O’Gallagher splendidly, and no fault of any kind could bo found with his work. Mr E. B. Davy as Herr Von Mozer had a small part, but his conception was good and his acting also. Mr A. C. Sliand, as Mr Hihbertson, a pompous solicitor, was well suited and his part was ably sustained throughout. Mr T. Mahoney, as Sergeant Tanner of Scotland Yard, would have put many professionals in the shade; his easiness and naturalnesss weie pronounced from the moment lie stepped on the stage and his performance almost suggested an even closer connection with the “foorce.” Mr Milford McArthur had a strenuous time throughout,first as CaptainlCourtenay and later on in the difficult part of Mias Brown. His get up was really good, and the eccentricities of Miss Brown were not overdone, being well within the elastic bounds of comedy of this description. Mr McArthur was responsible for a great deal of 1 merriment, and he is to he congratulated on hia work. The smaller parts of Emma, Miss Annie Cook. ; and Private Dochertv, Mr Ray Coleman, were carefully done. The boarders at Cicero House were;—Eu- ’ phemia Schwartz, Mrs Mil lord McArthur; Matilda Jones, Miss Eileen ’ Chapman; Millicent Loveridge, Miss Rita Burley; Clara Loveridge, Miss : May Tristram; Adelaide Perkins, Miss Madge Chapman; Pearl Dever--1 aux, Miss Ruby Hooper; Vida Spencer, Miss Nessie Gardiner; and 1 though, with the exception of Mrs McArthur, all that was expected of them was to look bright, fresh, pretty and schuolgiriish they suc- : cecded in doing that without any undue effort. Mrs McArthur, as the trusted pupil of the establishment, had a little more license, and a little more to do. She looked her part to perfection, and her acting was distinctly good. The Hamilton Band played outside the hall previous to the performance; the incidental music was supplied by the Orchestral Society, and their contributions were not, by any means, the least enjoyable part of the entertainment.