AMUSEMENTS.

Waikato Times, Issue 12125, 8 November 1911, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

■ "NUT SUCH A FOOL AS HE LOOKS,'' The Hamilton Comus Club opened a two-nights' season in the Hamileon Town Hall last evening, in H. . ! Byron's eccentric tliree-act comedy " Not such a Fool as he Looks." | There was a good house for a first | night 's performance, and the ;ilay wont through without any hitch. The story of the play defJis with ilu; schemes of a elderly solicitor, MiDaniel Murgatr o yd, to marry his i niece Felicia Craven to his ward Sir Simon Simple, Bart. The latter, ! who is, although a gentleman, ©f a i simple nature, after an amusing yet I slightly pathetic proposal scene ! with Felicia, in which he is refuse.!, 1 takes the anger of Mr Murgatroyd lon his shoulders, and flatly refuses Ito marry her. For this he is renounced am! claimed as a son by Mrs Mould, a virago, who takes in washing. The second act depicts Mrs Mould's kitchen, and here another jlady is introduced, a Mrs Merton, who also claims Sir Simon as 1 her son. Tihe Moulds are here found at home, and Sir Simon is shown on. the falling tide of his prosperity. The scene ends with the intrusion of Murgatroyd, who is following Felicia,, she having run away and married Fred. Grantly, his former cler*. The tbfcrd act is one of reconciliation, and takes place in the handsomely furnished drawing room at Mrs Merton's house. The play rignt 'through was well staged, the moun d effects and costumes being better than we have previously seen in amateur theatricals here. The Comus Club had omitted nothing that would add to the success of the production and its members are to lie congratulated on the result. Mr Aubrey Chitty, as Murgatroyd, played a difficult and somewhat heavy part very feelingly, his scene with Felicia in the first act being especially good. The Felicia Craven of Miss O'Neill was a charming and simple crea t.ion, and .added to this lady's many friends by her skilful pourtrayal of the part. She was at all time.natural, impulsive, gracious -and even indignant at times. Mrs Merton was played by Miss Seddon, who made her first appearance here. gave the part the necessary seol:'> • air and her enunciation and general acting were of the highest. In be scene in Mrs Mould's kitc-hen, a;, later in the third act with Felicia she left little to be desired, and 9hould be ;> welcome addition to the Club. Mrs J. A. Going, we should think, rather surprised the audience with the characterisation of the washerwoman, Mrs Mould. This, was a character part' of ratner a uniqjue type, and was carried through brilliantly. It was one of the best pieces of low comedy acting we have seen here. She sunk her individuality completely in the part, and held the attention of the audience throughout. Her costumes were quite in keeping with the type she represented, and her impersonation could not be improved upon. Mr Gordon L. Stanbrook, as Mrs Mould's husband, a bailiff, was also successful in a low comedy part, some of his by play being especially good. He seems specially adapted to the characters of old men, and there is little that is incongruous in bis acting. Mr E. B. Davy, as Captain Marker, flayed a small opening part in the first act we'.!, and Mrs Milford MoArthur as Jenny, a maid, was seen for a few minutes at the final curtain, w:th ad van tn ere to the 'general effect. Mr Frank Barnard, as Fredecic Grantly, also made a first appearance, and although somewhat handicapped by this, gave a good representation of a juvenMe lead. The part of Sir Simon Simple, he of *he collection of fathers and mothers, was entrusted to Mr Milford Mc Arthur, who was >also responsible ?ir the production. At the conclusion of the play several bouauets were handed to the ladies. The music incidental to the play was >£r:ven by the Hamilton Orchestral Society, under Mr Cyril Towsey. The play will he repeated to-nieht. and we certainly predict a crowded house. Judging bv last night's performance this is distinctly merited. The proceeds nre in aid aid of the Waikato A. and P. Association. Seats mav be reserved fit. Paul's Book Arcade.

THE KING'S. Last nigih't a good audience witnessed the final screening of the last programme. To-night an entire change of programme will be produced, particulars of which may be seen in the advertising columns today.