THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 499, 15 February 1900, Page 9

THE STAGE

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ORPHEUS.]

•» Orpheus ” will be glad to hear from those managers of theatrical companies touring New Zealand who desire Shat the public shall know the movements of the companies. Any information as to dates, etc., will be acknowledged in these columns, as well as any other items of interest to the theatrical world. All letters should be addressed —•• Orpheus,” Sporting and Dramatic BsViBW, Vulcan Lane. Auckland.

Opera House : “ The Liars.”—“ All men are liars,” says David, and upon this text Mr Jones builds up a delightful comedy in which a set of society taradiddlers frame wondrous fibs and suffer poetic justice. Lady Jessica Nepean, whose husband (Gilbert Nepean) is a suspicious bully, flirts herself into a compromising mess with Edward Falkner, epigramatically described as *‘a Puritan Don Quixote mounted on Pegasus.” She tries love-making with him at a distance of three feet, but burns her fingers. In sheer defiance of her uncongenial husband, and in spite of her friends’ efforts, she accidentally-on-purpose meets Falkner at the Star and Garter, where he has ordered a sumptuous dinner. George Nepean (Gilbert’s brother) discovers her with Falkner, and is determined to betray her to his brother. Lady Rosamund (Lady Jessica’s sister), Sir Christopher Deering, Dolly Coke (cousin to Lady Jessica), Archibald Coke (Dolly’s husband), and Freddie Tatton (Lady Rosamund’s husband) form a band of more or less willing conspirators, ready tc lie up to the hilt to screen Lady Jessica’s indiscretion. Ingenious, but inconsistent, explanations are concocted, but the dour Gilbert will not be pacified, and his cross-examination brings consternation upon the liars. Falkner has almost persuaded Lady Jessica to run away with him when Deering, who is the deus ex machina, put things right by bringing out the truth, which proves stronger than fiction —husband and wife bury the hatchet, and Deering goes off to an important mission in South Africa — ; after winning the lovely widow, Beatrice Ebernoe, whom he has courted in vain for years —accompanied by Falkner. The play is remarkable for pungent and powerful writing and splendid situations at every fall of the curtain. The comedy passages are irresistible, and provoke more gamine laughter than a dozen farces rolled into one. Fine satire, irony, persiflage, badinage, and repartee, as well as passages of passion and pathos, run through the entire piece. Barring a slight dragginess in the opening of the first act, there is not a dull moment, but attention is compelled throughout. Turning to the characters, Mr Brough’s impersonation of Sir Christopher Deering, the polished man-of the world with an Aristotalian gift of analysing every position into possibilities that reminds one of Mr Gladstone’s alternatives, is absolutely above criticism. Mr W. T. Lovell’s Falkner is full of finesse, pover, and earnestness. Mr Joseph Oarne plays the disagreeable Gilbert Nepean with brutal skill. Mr Percy Brough makes all that is possible ou:

of George Nepean. Mr Leslie Victor achieves a triumphant success with Freddie Tatton, whom his wife calls “an incomparable nincompoop,” while bis own definition runs “ I may be an ass, but lam not a silly ass; I may be a fool, but I am not a dam fool I” Mr Reginald Dartrey’s Archibald Coke, the old gentleman who at first sternly refuses to add his share to the harmless necessary lies, but ends in holding his own with the best in that department, is an excellent bit of work. Mr Mario Majeroni is to the manner born as the French waiter at the Star and Garter, who is so perturbed over the capsize of the “ Sauce Arcadienne.” Miss Bessie Thomson, as the society busybody (Mrs Crespin), shows capital form in a small part. Miss Grace Noble is charming and tender in the role of Beatrice Ebernoe, a disconsolate young widow who eventually consoles, and is consoled by, Sir Kit Deering. Miss Evelyn Martheze makes a sprightly and ready fibber of Dolly Coke. Miss Temple has lost none of the artistic ease and finish which always make her a warm favorite. Her Lady Rosamond is full of supercherie and humor Minor roles are capably played by Miss Laura Hanley and Messis Pringle, Grattan, and Hards. Of Mrs Brough’s Lady Jessica I will merely say that that gifted lady has never done better work, the contrasts of gaiety, despair, defiance, passion, the struggles between conscience and inclination, hardened obstinacy, and hunted misery compelled admiration through. The dresses and staging were sumptuous and in good taste A picked orchestra, under Mr Diederichsen, included Mons, de Willimoff and Messrs Waud, S. -Jackson, Haslam, etc. Needless, therefore, to say that the music was good. Such a play, acted by such a company, is a treat which the audience manifestly relished.

Feilding Juvenile Operatic Society.—On the 2nd inst., “ H.M.S. Pinafore” was again produced by the society, in the Feilding Drill Hall, before a packed and enthusiastic audience. The performance proved a brilliant success, and over £3O in aid of the “ More Men Fund” resulted. Mr Reade, jun., sang “ The Absent-minded Beggar,” and upwards of £3 in coins of the realm fell upon the stage. Mr T. Kearsley, jun., the capital musical director, conducted, and Mr W. E. Grantham acted as stage-manager with tact and skill. Two new patriotic songs (composed by Mr Kearsley) received vociferous encores.

The Gaiety Company.—Mr P. R. Dix keeps the ball rolling, so that one is always compelled to “ welcome the coming and speed the parting guest.” The clever sisters, Marie and Edie Lingard, whose fascinating dancing, singing, and dressing have delighted so many audiences, bade farewell on Saturday evening, and on Monday evening a . new quartette (the Williams sisters) made their first appearance as trick-bicyclists, pedestal dancers, banjoists; etc., etc. The.popular Frank Yorke (funniest of the funny) also reappeared.j . £he Jones-Blake quartette, Frodo trio, Collins aird Browne, Rexo (the juggler),and Fred carren continue their successful career, while Messrs E. J. Burke and Leighton manage music and stage respectively with great ability.

Tussaud’s Waxworks, at the Agricultural Hall, are going strong, with audiences increasing daily and nightly. The variety performances are

really good. Miss Lily Smith, with pretty songs, elegant dresses, and graceful dancing, wins great favor; Mr Kindley’s fine voice and excellent choice of songs score all along the line; Mr Morton Prior’s irresistible comic songs win triple and quadruple encores; Luella and Prior, in a burlesque trapeze act, are funny beyond description ; Zarella (the fascinating Gipsy fortuneteller) drives a busy trade, and so does the Boer shooting gallery. Lazerne, the recent importation from London, made a first appearance on Monday evening with great eclat.