THE JUNO DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 11124, 9 February 1886, Page 2

THE JUNO DRAMATIC COMPANY.

— • — i For a long time past tbe playgoing publio of Wanganui have had nothing to relieve tbe dull monotony of their evenings, the Princess Theatre being completely deserted, but the Juno Dramatio Company's advent has broken the spell, and once again the walls of the theatre will re-eoho the hearty laugh and merry jest. Miss Juuo iu times gone by successfully catered for tbe amusement of Wanganui when the drama here was in its infancy, and succeeded in gaiuing the goodwill of the public, a goodwill that she has kept green and fresh ever since, so that her appearances here are always looked forward to with keep appreciation. On the present occasion of her season here, she haa brought with her a number of " ariistes " of undoubted talent and ability, who worthily uphold her reputation. The "repertoire" consists of a number of comedies and dramas new to the Wanganui stage, each ono of which is a gem in itself. One of thesa is " The Strategist," which was played last nigbt to a very good audience. It is an American adaptation, and very 'much resembles " The Ci-uv'uor " and kindred comedies in its eccentric situations and scenes. The outline of ihe plot is as follows:— Nellie Howard and Jack Eutledge are lovers, anxious to enter the married slate, but their fathers are against the match ; to overcome their parents antis patby they resort to strategy, Jack agreeing to impersonate his father and Nellie's for the better furtherance of his scheme, while Miss Howard is to disguise herself as a Scotch lassie, Miss Kilmarnock, and befool her lover's father. Pepper, a chemist, overhears their plan and determines to frustrate it, but only _uccB_dsih making " confusion worso coufounded." A maidservant and her Goru.au lover, a "raw,bloodthirsty Irishman," and a subscriptioncollecting parson, together with the wife of Major Howard, are also added to complete the list of characters. During tho progress of the piece, Jack, while endeavouring to adjust difficulties generally, ends by being " hoist with his own petard," much to the amusement i of the audience, while tin many and ' various ludicrous situations which he gets himself and the other characters into, must be seen to be appreciated. ] Miss Juno assumes tho p.arls of Nellie j Howard and Mis3 Kilmarnock with great success, her rendition of both, ospecially that of the latter, being perfect. As Jack Butledge, Mr 0. H, Taylor is iu bis element, and by hit clever impersonation and good actiug keeps the interest of the audience alive from start to finish. The role of Araminfca is assigned to Miss Ella Carring* ton, who makes the most of it, and shows plainly by her aoting what is in store when she has a more noteworthy part to play. Mrs Howard is repre- j sented by Miss Nellie Edwards, the representation being all that could be I desired. Meesrs Forbes and Nunn taka j Major Howard and Mr Rutledge respectively, their make- up and acl.Dg being capital. A heap of fun centres in ' the characters of Terence O'Ham and Capsicum Pepper, and Mr J. J. Keu- ( U6dy as the former and Mr B. W. Rodgers as the latter appear to revel in the laughter they create. The "poor littlo heathens" are very well attended t> by the Rev. Mr .Mil' man, in the shape of Mr L, Dunbar, who succeeds in collecting subscriptions to a gr<?at amount and with muoh apparent ease. Ab Sergeant Qrowlemstein, Mr W. H. Ffoiton -idds his quota to the thousand i laughs, and holps to keep tho audience in a good hurn'mr. Taken alto, other j "The. Strategist " waVa thorough success, a-ud served to while away a very ] pleasant evening. To night th. same j come ly wiil bo repeated, and we antici** i pate a crowded house to witness; its , second representation. -»..--- „ „ i mmm „ . M... .■■_..,-, „_>