WALTER BENTLEY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8066, 15 December 1892, Page 2

WALTER BENTLEY.

Wanganui playgoers will lone remember the Walter Bentley season which olosed last night, not alone for the meritorious and high class nature of the stage productions, but also from the phenomenal successes from a financial point of view, which after all have only been the paying of a due tributo to the ability of the actor. Last night's performance was again witnessed by a large aad fashionablo audience, tho Drill Hall being filled in overy part. The bill presented was a double one, commencing with that delightful comedy " Garriok," in which Mr Bentley assumed the role of one of the gi^atcst of the old world actors, and succeeded in keeping his audience in roars of laughter in the many humorous scenes with whioh the piece is thickly studded Mr Lachlan McGowan impersonated tho pompous London alder" man " Simon Ingot," and Miss Katharine Hardy acted very cleverly as kis daughter '• Ada." With tho exception of Mr H. R. Roborts, who gave an exoellent delineation of tho fox-hunting "Squire Chivy," the other characters do not call for speoial mention. The costuming was rich and in the best of possible good taste, and the fall of the curtain was the signal for a genuine rouud of hearty applause and a perfaot shower of pretty bouquets, lhe concluding piece was " Cramond Brig," an eicellont Scotch farco in whioh Mr Bentley portrayed tho fine manly part of the Scotch farmer "Jock Howicson." It was a docided acknowledgement of his skill in makeup that ho was come little time on the stage before the audience managed to pierce through his disguise, a buz of enquiry being heard all over the house. The aotor's identity being established, he was warmly applauded and the fun was then fast and furious, the performance being paVi tioularly acceptable. Miss Katherine Hardy played "Tibbie" (Jock's wife), anß Mias Lily Hegarty "Mariqo" (hor daiigH 1 -" ter), both oharaoters being good, and Mr H. R. Roberts added still further to a good reputation, by impersonating with success " James V " (tho Gudeman o'Ballangoioh), while several minor parts were evenly distributed. The performance throughout was a meritorious one, and the curtain finally foil amidst renewed applause. Mr Bentley and his company left by early morning train for Palmerston, whero they open to-night, and from there journey on to Napier, where the season commences on Monday next. At the ' conclusion of h:s present tour, at Auckland, Mr Bentley intends spending a few weeks in the Hot Lakes district, and then goes across to Australia, intending to pay a return visit to New Zealand ere long with come new dramatic productions, and there can be no doubt that ha will be warmly welcomed when next he comes to Wanganui.