AMUSEMENTS. MEETINGS. ETC

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11730, 4 December 1905, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS. MEETINGS. ETC

THE STRAND THEATRE COMEDY COMPANY.

"THE J.P."

The Opera House was well filled on Saturday evening, when those present had the pleasure of seeing one of the cleverest companies that have yet visited Wanganui in one of the most laughable farcical comedies that have ever been staged here. Hie play is brimful of humour, and the complications which happened during the thres acts 6ent the audience into screams of laughter again and again. Mr J. J. Dallas, as Caesar Montague, "The J.P.," was splendid, his acting being of a very high order indeed, whilst his acting with Miss Florence Lloyd in the second act fairly convulsed the audience. Miss Florence Lloyd had a very difficult double role to play, but by her natural acting she proved herself to be an actress of very great ability. Her impersonation of Captain Rattler av.ts _one of the best male impersonations S2on on the local boards, whilst her singing and dancing in the catchy eong "I'm going back to Baltimore" gained her a vociferous encore. Mr Aubrey Mallaliou played the part of CharHe Vivian, tho J.P.s nephew, to iifc, ami his acting all through was first-class. Mr Gregan McMahon as Tom Noel, a low comedian, created roars of laughter by his antics in the second act, where he finds his wife flirting with Captain Rattler, and ho is to be congratulated- on the clever character study he gave. Miss Maud Chetwynd, an old favourite of Wauganui theatre-goers, added greatly to the success of the pieco by her vivacious acting of the difficult role of Kate. Tom Noel's wife. The other characters of the play wore in the able hands of Messrs Johnson Weir, and Tom Cannam. and Misses Florence Redfern, Madge Herrick, Elsie Austin, and Norah Delaney, who were all well suited in their respective characters. The company is a very strong combination of high-class artists, and are bound to draw bumper houses wherever they play. A very pretty interior setting, with elegant stage effects, was in keeping with the costumes worn by the ladies during the three acts. An efficient orchestra., under Mr 11. Henningham, supplied tho incidental music.

"The J.P." will be staged for the last time this evening, and we would strongly advise all those who did not witness Saturday night's performance to make a point of seeing this clever and mirth-pro-voking comedy.