HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 2 June 1910, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

MR. GEORGE WILLOUGHBY’S NEW ENGLISH COMEDY CO. “THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY.” The Auckland playgoing public is still laughing over “ 'the Night of the Party,” and is likely to continue doing so, even after the curtain falls on the last scene of the final performance on Saturday evening next, when the all too short season of Mr. George Willoughby’s English Comedy Co. will be brought to a conclusion. Sir Rupert Clarke and Mr. Clyde Meynell, under whose direction the company is appearing, evidently know a good thing When they see it, and in “ The Night of the Party,” which they have transferred, with most of the original actors, from the English to the Australasian stage, they have given us one of the finest comedies ever staged in this country. Whimsical, and delicious even, in its absurdities, it is yet so typical of and so cleverly satirises certain phases of society life in the Mother Country that it is impossible to resist its humour or to do other than enjoy the fine vein of comedy running all through it. The subject is one in the handl-

ing of which the author of the comedy, Mr. Weedon Grossmith, probably attains his happiest and most infectiously mirthful moods. It embraces tne story of a certain Mr. Crosbie, a “gentleman’s gentleman,” or valet, who, with easy assurance and cool effrontery born of long contact with Society men, passes himself off as his master, Frank Frayne, during the latter’s absence from home. On a certain memorable occasion, when Mr. Frayne is supposed to be journeying towards Paris, on a three months’ holiday, the valet gives a party in his master’s rooms, to which he invites, indiscriminately, some of his “Society” friends —the people who take him for Mr. Frayne—and the up-per-class servants of his acquaintance. The fun begins with their arrival, and is carried on with ever-increasing hilarity until early morning, when the

master unexpectedly returns, and the balance of the company hide themselves, in the best fashion possible, behind curtains, under the sofa and the table, and even within a closed chest that forms part of the diningroom equipment. Taken by surprise Crosbie is hard put to it to explain the suspicious circumstances under which his master finds him, and is only relieved from a severe questioning by the untimely arrival of Lady Hampshire, a somewhat indiscreet Society dame, who has quarrelled with her husband and has called to suggest that Mr. Frayne should elope with her to Paris. Mr. Frayne reminds her of the seriously compromising character of her action and finally persuades her to take a cab and return to her husband. The conversation is, of course, overheard by Mr. Crosbie’s hidden guests, these including Mr. Flambert, a pompous individual who, as butler to the Duke of Hungerford, claims to be the leader of the inner circle of the “servatorial” class to which he belongs; Mr. Roundle, footman to Lord Dalston; Mr. Bogle, the hall porter; Gipsy Vandelier, an adventuress; and Pauline, a parlourmaid. Complications consequently arise through their knowledge

of the happenings in Mr. Frayne’s chambers, which it takes the two succeeding acts to straighten out. Wonderful, in their way, are the embarrassments that seem to surround Crosbie as the result of his masquerades both at Hadstone Hall and back again at his master’s flat in Melton Mansions, but more wonderful still is the easy and coc-l insouciance with which he accepts the most disconcerting happenings in the entanglements with which he surrounds 'himself by his action.

In Mr. David James we have a comedian of the very first rank. Personally selected by Mr. Weedon Grossmith himself- to enact the principal role in the play, that of Crosbie, the part fits him like a glove, the actor’s • ersmiity n ni individuality showing itself in methods which are peculiarly his own. Mr. Clement Scott, writ-

ing in the “London Daily Telegraph,” paid Mr. David James the greatest possible compliment when he said “he would make us laugh in the dullest of comedies.” There is a certain subtle humour about his very appearance which conduces to laughter, and it keeps the audience tuned up to the right pitch of merriment all through the play. As Crosbie he presents the picture of an admirable rogue, whose easy insolence, yet deferential familiarity are infinitely diverting. We doubt if a finer part has ever been played on the Auckland stage. Mr. George Willoughby, as the pompous Flambert, the Duke’s butler, appears in a comparatively minor role, but gives a very clever and finished interpretation of the character he assumes, winning much approval both by his manner and bearing. As a comedy sketch it is excellent. . Mr. Hugh C. Buckler is a very finished actor and figures to advantage in the role of Mr. Frank Frayne, a typical English gentleman. The part could hardly be in better hands. Miss Violet Paget is a charming actress, has a very graceful presence, acts naturally and well and commands general favour as Lady Hampshire. In Miss Mab Paul again the company possess-

es a very capable and clever actress. She has a very striking personality, and as the adventuress, Gipsy Vandelier, presents a perfect picture of the type of flashly dressed, coarse spoken, vulgar girl who makes her living by her wits, and has matrimonial designs upon moneyed men. Pauline, the parlourmaid, and Bogle, the tall porter, are comedy parts of a broader type that find capital exponents in Miss Amy Willard and Mr. Harry Halley. Mr. Harold Parkes, as Captain Bleary, cleverly burlesques the broken down swell, to the infinite amusement of the audience. Mr. Arthur Cornell admirably fills the role of Sir Charles Hampshire. The other parts are satisfactorily filled by Mr. Leopold Stach, as Roundle, the footman; Mr. Harry Overton, as Aiderman Hargen; Mr. Gerald Moulton, as Alex. Montressor; Mr. Horace Clonge, as Ulic Brown; Mr. Walter Spinks, as Mr. Mcßoth; and Miss Lena Langridge, as Mrs. Young. The comedy will be given again to-night, to-morrow and on Saturday, which will witness the final performance.

“ PETE.” A capital play, full of love, sentiment, sympathy, and romance, is the description applied to “Pete,” which will be staged on Monday at His Majesty's by Clarke and Meynell’s specially organised company, headed by those capable artists, H. R- Roberts and Beatrice Day, supported by a powerful company. ‘Pete” is dramatised by Hall Caine and Louis N. Parker from the former’s story “ The Manxman,” and ran for over 200 nights at the Lyceum Theatre, London, where it broke all records for drama- “ Never before,” said “ The London Times,” “has a play of this kind made such a thrilling appeal to the sensations, susceptibilities, and sympathies of an audience. They wept and laughed alternately at the pathos and sweetness of this great play, and Mr. Hall Caine, who occupied a box, had to bow his head at the final fall of the curtain, so tumultuous was the applause of the audience, swept away on a tide of emotion. The story is powerful and thrilling, carried out to a most effective climax. The essence of the drama is a story of love and betrayal, of wicked rascaldom and picturesque heroism. Pete Quilliam goes to Kimberley, and returning, marries the girl he had left behind him, Kate Cregeen, an innkeeper’s daughter on the Isle of Man. However, in his absence Philip Christian, Pete’s supposed friend, had made love to her and won her heart. When Pete returns a rich man, Kate becomes his

wife, for Philip had refused to marry her, putting ambition and position before love and honour in his aspiring to become the Deemster of the Island, and the inkeeper’s daughter, he considers, is not a fitting wife for him. How Pete discovers that Kate’s love is not his, how she leaves him on account of the guilty secret that exists between herself and Philip, and how ultimately she realises that he, big-hearted, manly husband of hers, is the man she really loves, and how she returns to him a repentant and lovable wife, make the thrilling and pleasant, as well as pathetic, phases of this remarkable drama. After seeing the production at the Lyceum Theatre, London, Mr. Meynell, on his return to Melbourne, set about organising a special company to tour with “ Pete,” choosing the various artists in accordance with the requirements of the roles, and the particular line of ability. Each member of the cast, therefore, will be thoroughly suited to her or his part. Mr- H. R. Roberts and Miss Beatrice Day will be supported by a strong company, including Mr. Conway Wingfield, Mr. Harry Sweeney, Mr. J. F. Forde, Mr. W. J. Montgomery, Miss Lorna Forbes, Miss Elwyn Harvey, Miss Katie Towers, Miss Ethel Bashford, and Miss Mary Laing-Meeson. The box plan is now open at Wildmanand Arey’s.