Music, Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 180, 4 January 1894, Page 3

Music, Drama.

By

“Prompter.”

Myra Kemble Company.

Last Friday and Saturday evenings were devoted, to “Our Flat’’ at the Opera House, and the amusing comedy was heartily appreciated by large audiences on both occasions of its presentation. “ Our Flat ” is a decidedly farcical comedy —just one of those productions in which inexperienced actors and actresses are apt to overdo their parts and completely spoil the effect. But no such charge can, however, be laid at the doors of Miss Myra Kemble’s clever Comedy Company, the members of which are all tried artists in their particular lines. The comedy describes the shifts a young couple are put to in their endeavour to live on an extended credit system. Reginald Sylvester is a young man who has more brains than money, and who, like many thousands of others, has pigeon-holes crammed with gems of dramatic writing, which, however, are considered by theatrical managers to be merely cut glass, and brilliant only in the estimation of the author. Sylvester and his wife are reduced to the deepest depths of genteel

poverty before the lady’s paternal relative, who has a most decided antipathy to his son-in-law for two acts and threequarters, relents and takes the young couple under the protecting wing of his purse. To describe the action of a comedy like “Our Flat” is a task I would rather not attempt. Those who have seen it have enjoyed its labyrinth of convulsive humour, and an endeavour to foil, jw the tortuous devices which the author resorts to in order to provoke his audiences to laughter, which at times becomes almost unbearable, would in all probability send one into an early grave or transform him into a giggling maniac. Sufficient to say that Mr Sass and Miss Kemble were admirable as the dunridden couple and Mr A. J. Ivimey was capital as the flinty-hearted parent. As a theatrical manager of a very farfetched type Mr Geo. Leitch was the clever comedian who has made New Zealanders laugh for years, and the other characters were all more than creditably sustained. On Saturdy evening Miss Kemble was too indisposed to appear, but a most satisfactory substitute was found in Miss Emma Gwynne. On New Year’s night Hamiltion Aide’s farcical comedy 1 Dr. Bill ’ was produced and a very large attendance was experienced. The comedy is well-known to the Auckland public and may fairly lay claim to the title of one of the most successful farcical comedies of the day. Miss Kemble was exceedingly happy in the character of Mrs Horton, and Mr Edward Sass as Dr. Bill confirmed the favourable impression created by his previous efforts. The Mr Firman of Mr Geo. Leitch was in. that sterling comedian’s best style, and Mr Scot Inglis was admirable as the idiotic Mr Webster. The comedy went with great swing, and was heartily enjoyed. Last night ‘ The Late Lamented,’ one of the best things of the last London season, was produced, but the hour at which the Review went to press necessitated the notice of the comedy being held over until next week.