HIS MAJESTY'S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 994, 25 March 1909, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY'S.

“TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS.’

The second production by the Meynell and Gunn Company was Walter Howard’s four-act drama, entitled “ Two Little Sailor Boys.” It is a much stronger production than “ A Miner’s Trust,” the interest being better sustained, and the probabilities not altogether ignored. The story tells of a woman of the adventurous type who, after deserting her husband and child, lives a life of pleasure, and ultimately marries a retired admiral. She then proceeds to make matters very unpleasant for Mildred Grey, her step-daughter. The latter is engaged to Captain Noel Tregarthen, and the plot largely concerns Mrs. Grey’s efforts to separate the lovers. Just how she is checkmated, and her past crimes discovered, j'y r.Wit ingcmimnTly tbliii, and if “is 8 well’ worth visiting the theatre to find out. Miss Lilian Meyers essayed the role of Lola Grey, and achieved a great success. She showed much dramatic force, the different moods of the stony-hearted adventuress being admirably brought out. There were one or two somewhat inartistic touches, such as the wearing of a magnificent evening •dress and opera cloak when visiting a professional thief in a low-class pub. in the slums, but as a whole Miss Meyers is entitled to high praise. Miss Holloway had nothing like so good a chance, but made a good deal of the role of Cyril Grey, a warm-hearted, if somewhat girlish, son of the AdmiralMiss Mabel Russell as the other lad, Tom Yorke, also did good work, although in this character the author has harped too much on the pathetic strain, and the result is somewhat un-

natural. Miss Nellie Florence made a very sweet and winsome Mildred Grey. The character was admirably taken, and as a bit of perfectly natural acting it left much to admire. Miss Alice Deorwyn worked hard as Lucy, the maid, and her scenes with Jack Jolly (Mr. Henry Halley) and Benjamin Baxter (Mr. Leo de Chateau) caused no end of amusement, both the comedians being in excellent form. Mr. Herbert J. Bentley as Captain Tregarthen played quietly but effectively, a very commendable feature being the absence of any tendency to rant. He is many removes from the “ impossible ” hero of the customary type, and for this the audience were profoundly thankful. Mr. J. B. Atholwood gave one of his characteristic performances as Jim Royston, the burglar, a type of humanity that this sterling actor portrays to the five as Lieutenant Redstone. a_pe£U-_ liar kind of naval officer. Mr. Gilbert Emery made most of the part of Capt. Yorke. The role of Admiral Grey seemed beyond Mr. Coape, for if such a weak-kneed creature was ever an admiral in the British Navy and a type of his class, no fleet of Dreadnoughts could ever save England from disaster. The play was well staged, some of the sets being decidedly good. “ Two Little Sailor Boys ” should certainly be seen.

“ THE LITTLE BREADWINNER.”

On Friday and Saturday night, Messrs. Meynell and Gunn will present the celebrated domestic play of child life, “ The Little Breadwinner,” by John A. Campbell. The keynote of his work is not merely to produce the reflex of human nature, but the very nature itself, bound up in the true types of their environment, in which

the author concentrates his story. “ The Little Breadwinner ” is such a play, embracing many incidents and situations which are exciting to an eminent degree, embellished with genuine comedy and natural scenes, and it should afford good scope for the fine company engaged by the management. The two farewell performances of “ The Little Breadwinner ” will positively conclude the season in Auckland. “SIXES AND SEVENS.” On Monday evening next the musical comedy, “ Sixes and Sevens,” will be produced at His Majesty’s Theatre. The book and lyrics are by Miss Maude Peacock, who has managed to introduce some witty dialogue and humorous situations. The music is by Mr. Thomas Humphreys, and is in his best style. When produced originally in Parnell, the comedy drew crowded houses, nearly every item coming in for much warm praise. The event has been looked forward to for a long time, and much interest centres in the production, a good deal of curiosity to see how this locallywritten comedy will compare with proved successes being evinced. On Saturday, April 3, Messrs. Birch and Humphreys’ comic opera, “Manuella,” will be staged for a season of five nights.