OPERA HOUSE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12528, 31 July 1908, Page 6

OPERA HOUSE.

THE FRANK THORNTON COMPANY.

'CHARLEYS AUNT."

There was a large audience at the Opera House last evening to renew acquaintance with "Charley's Aunt," and judging by -he hearty laughter which continued throughout tho evoniug the old lady from Brazil (where the nut? come from) ha 6 lost iitllp, if any, of her power to amuse. It wa.s ever the same, though, whenever and wherever we have seen Mr Thornton impersonating the jiseudo Donna Lucia. The audience has always been convulsed py his merry masquerading and his clever command of facial expression. There is something irresistibly comic in the whole piece, in the prank.-* of the love-lorn Oxford undergraduates, and the way their chum oorric* out his task of impersonating Donna Lucia d' Alvadores, the wealthy ih-azihtui lady — "Ohurloy's Mini ' — who does lot arrive whti expected. The fun is fast 11 nd furioiw Vi>en t\\o men fall in l^ve Wilt "Charley's Aunt," and tho girls ki«3 and hug her to the annoyance of their lowers who i.rigmated the deception. Then finally tho real aunt from Brazil turns up to put all on good terms with tl'emcclves. '•' h- 1 comedy has been so often performed 1 ere that it 'v> \mncccssa.y to recapitulate its stoiy further. At times the bum our soenib a trifla forced, but thore is so much that is yenuinclj aiuu^iiio 1 iv JVlr Thornton's clever fooling, and in the many ludicrous situations oreated that tnc play is rcaliy one of the most laughter-provoking ever seen here. Mr Thornton is 1 just the same old "'Charley's Aunt" whom lie introduced to uo many' years ago, his acting being effective, hie lines spoken with gfusto, and his jocularities as pointed as ever. He is supported by a well-selected company of capable comedians, though Mr, Douglas Hamilton (as "Colonel Sir Frances Cliesney") and Mr C. Stone (as "Charles Wykeham") did not appear altogether at home in their parts. The former lacked the bern-ing of a military officer, while __ Mr. Stone was very stiff as "Charley TVykeham." Mr T. Powell made a success of his part as "Jack Chcsney," and Mr.. Harry Ashford as "Stephen Speltigue" was seen to advantage. Mr Keppel Stevenson wa.s fairly good as "Braset." Miss Lily Willis as "Amy Speltigue," and Miss Belle Donaldson as "Kitty Verdun" were well suited to their parts, and looked pretty. Miss Harriet Trench as the genuine lady from Brazil was a decided biiceess, while the other characters were capably filled. The ladies are particularly well gowned, and the play appropriately mount(d. It was a most enjoyable performance, taken altogether, and there is every reason to predict a crowded house to-night, when tho piece chosen for presentation is

'THE PRIVATE SECRETARY."

This evening, Mr Frank Thornton will toy his final appearance in Wangaiiiii pre; i .?nt tiie famous comedy, "The Private Secretary," in which he has appeared ,as the Rev. Robert Spalding over 1200 times. Tho "N.Z. Times" says — After the final performance of this comedy in Wellington last Saturday night, Mr Thornton thanked his audience, humorously and yet touchingly, for their reception. It was one thing, he said, to be clever, and another tlnng to be appreciated; one thing to be beautiful, and another thing to be admired. This was his sixth visit to Wellington, and it was 23 years since he had made his first visit. He was no chicken, and ho felt that il was better for an actor to retire while he was still in possession of all his powers than to linger until people only came to ccc him for the sake of what he had been. It has been his privilege to briug before them all the host London plays of tho last 23 years; he had never brought them a bad play. He had brought sonic very talented companies, but he had never Leon so 'well supported as on the present occasion. They would be glad to know that this had been his most successful season in the whole j)eriod of 23 years. ' (Applause.)

EASTOWX DRAUGHTS CLUB DANCE.

The Eastown Draughts Club intend holding, another of their popular dances in the Eastown schoolroom on Wednesday evening next, the- sth August. This club has held several very enjoyable^' dances this eeason, and the coming function- promises to be even- more snpcessfnl than its predecessors. . Admisiion-rrQentV' 2s, ladies refreshments. itcktife'-%rii#^"b6 > .obtained from Mr E. Lambei.'t,Vsec£eta&yj.