HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1063, 21 July 1910, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

MR. HUGH J. WARD’S COMEDY COMPANY- “ THE GIRL FROM RECTOR’S.” When Mr. Hugh J. Ward presented “ A Bachelor s Honeymoon,” there were many playgoers who thought the limit in abusing and laughter-provok-ing episodes had been reached, and that it would be impossible to laugh more heartily over any comedy than the public did during Mr. Ward’s last memorable season in New Zealand. “ The Girl from Rector’s” had not then made her appearance, however. It has since captivated large audiences ■everywhere. in the South, and started Aucklanders laughing on Monday night in a way that will not be readily forgotten- Fun —and clever fun at that —is , swaying the patrons of His Majesty’s this week in very real fashion, and night after night sends delighted crowds homewards with merry thoughts and recollections of the pleasant and not unwholesome comedy so ably interpreted by Mr. Hugh Ward and his talented company of comedians. The company is an admirable one, and about as well balanced and consistently clever as it is possible to make it- Mr. Hugh Ward, himself one of the finest comedians on the stage of to-day, is a great believer in the wisdom of filling even the minor parts of his plays with the best available talent. He has brought back to us practically the same company that he had in New Zealand last year, save, that Miss Rose Musgrove (now permanently retired from the stage) has given place to Miss Maud Chetwynd, and a better-balanced company it would be almost impossible to get together. Its all-round excellence is reflected in every phase of the diverting comedy known as “ The Girl from Rector’s,” and the success of the play itself is undoubtedly due to the very clever way in which the comedy is interpreted by the members of the company.

“ The Girl from Rector’s” (Miss Grace Palotta) leads a dual existence. Away in Battle Creek, Michigan, she is known as the most severe and austere of women—•“ cold as an icicle”— and the wife of Judge Caperton. In New York, where she spends eleven months out of the twelve, she is a woman of a totally different stamp, and as Loute Sedane, president of the Night Owls Club, and the woman about town, smokes cigarettes, drinks champagne, flirts outrageously with the men, makes love to her “affinity,” Richard O’Shauglinessy (Mr. Aubrey Mallalieu), a young man of wealth and leisure, and behaves as only one of the smart set could be expected to behave. Colonel Andrew Tandy (Mr. Reginald Wykeham), an elderly beau, posing as a bachelor and the “ guide, philosopher and friend” of Richard O’Shaughnessy, is another character leading a Hyde-Jekyll sort of existence. He is married to Mrs. Witherspoon Copley (Miss Celia Ghiloni), and is known to that lady, wheii he is at home in Michigan, as General Copley. He is supposed to be travelling

abroad, when he is really enjoying himself in New York. Professor Aubrey Maboon (Mr. Hugh J. Ward), a cousin of Richard O’Shaughnessy’s, becomes engaged to Marcia Singleton (Miss Ruby Baxter), but quarrels with his fiancee and her mother, and then seeks O’Shaughnessy’s assistance in patching up the quarrel- Marcia and Dick fall in love, however, Marcia rejects the Professor, engages herself to Dick, who, having previously sworn allegiance to Loute Sedane, is in something of a quandary, but takes advantage of the latter’s retirement into “ the bosom of her family” to arrange for his early marriage with Marcia, and sets off with the latter and her mother for Battle Creek, Michigan, after solemnly repudiating further friendship with the Colonel. At Battle Creek complications arise. Judge Caperton makes love to Angelica (Miss Maud Chetwynd), Marcia Singleton’s maid; Dick, half-married to Marcia (there has been a civil contract before the Registrar, which is to be followed by a religious ceremony when ‘the General.” otherwise Colonel Tandy, returns) is perpetually urged to “ moderation” by his mother-in-law; Loute Sedane and the Colonel arriving on the scene, together with the Professor, are denounced, by the latter to Mrs. Copley, who looks upon him as an escaped lunatic; Dick is prepared to denounce Tandy, and Loute, suddenly confronted with Dick, faints clean away, but on recovering and learning the facts, vows to be revenged, and complications multiply merrily one upon the other. Deacon Wiggleford (Mr. H. H. Wallace), Mrs. Wiggleford (Miss Florence. Redfern), Admiral Tarbox (Mr. ’ James Hattie), Mrs. Tarbox (Miss May Hignett), and Knickbein (Mr. Lawrence Hardinge), head waiter at French Charley’s, each play their part in the diverting situations that ensue. In the climax of the play there is a general sorting up and sorting out of the entanglements that enable the course of true love to run smoothly at last, the scenes and situations being exceptionally humorous and entertaining.

Mr. Hugh J. Ward’s always excel’ent work is supported in the most admirable fashion by Miss Grace Palotta, whose very laughter is infectious, and Miss Celia Ghiloni, ladies whose talents are as undoubted as their accomplishments are great; also by Mr- Reginald Wykeham and Mr. Aubrey Mallalieu, both finished comedians- They are a powerful combination in themselves. But they do not stand alone. In the soubrette part Miss Maud Chetwynd shows what a capable comedienne she really is. Mr- Robert Greig, as Judge Caperton, leaves nothing to be desired. The Deacon Wiggleford of Mr. H. H. Wallace is a complete study in itselfMiss Ruby Baxter makes the most and the best of her part as Marcia, and the other characters already enumerated are well sustained. The play is admirably mounted; the incidental music provided by the orchestra under Mr. H- Henningham gives general satisfaction, and “ The Girl from Rector’s” for all-round completeness takes a lot of beating.