THE POLK COMPANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1051, 16 January 1884, Page 2

THE POLK COMPANY.

“ An Arabian Night,” which was played by the Polk Company last evening, belongs to the same school as “ The strategist,” but we are inclined to think that the incidents are more probable, and the plot more clearly worked out. The hero of the piece is one Alexander Spinkle, a retired stock broker, who had formerly an tambition to rival the Caleph Haroun-Al-Baschid, of Arabian Night’s fame, in his midnight excursions and searches after romance adventures. During the temporary absence of his wife, Spinkle has relapsed into his old habits, and has befriended a bare-backed circus rider, who rejoices in the name of the Rose of Yucatan. This lady, however, has an inordinate sense of gratitude, and comes on a visit to her benefactor, who excuses her presence in his house to his mother-in-law by passing the Rose off as his niece, who is expected from France, As it happens the real niece arrives a few minutes afterwards, and Spinkle finds himself involved in a very unoomfortab e predicament. He has to keep his mother-in-law in ignorance of the real character of the circus rider, and at the same time to protect his niece, the consequence being chat a game of cross-purposes is kept up till the close of the play, when everything is set right, and the mother-in-law is discomfited. Some pathetic interest is thrown into the comedy by means of an underplot in which the neica and an artist act the lovers, and the other characters have a good deal to do, although they do not interfere with the main incidents of the play. The acting throughout was well worthy of the reputation of the company. Mr and Mrs Polk, had, of course, the lion’s share of the work, and it need scarcely be said that they were quite equal to the task allotted to them. Mrs Polk, as Rose Maybloorh, the circus rider, acted with an abandon which carried all before it. Without in the slightest degree touching on vulgarity, she represented the free and easy Bohemianism of the class she was supposed, to belong to, and the scene where the barebacked riding was simulated created roars of laughter, for which the clever acting of Mrs Polk was in no slight degree responsible. The part of Spinkle does not give Mr Polk the same chance of showing his versatility as the character in “The Strategist” fforded him, but he kept those present thoroughly amused, while he was on the stage The manner in which the different feelings were depicted by means of facial expression was marvellous, and stamped Mr Polk as an actor of the highest class. Mr H. W. Emmet, as Lafayette Moodle, an American fop, made a decided hit, the inane laugh with which he accompanied his foolish talk causing great merriment. His appearance in the final scene, after he has been mauled by the cannon ball performer, was the signal for bursts of laughter, and all through the play Mr Emmet fairly shared the honors with the “ stars. ” Mr Boothman as the artist who wishes Spinkle to allow his wife to sit as a model, and who afterwards falls in love with the niece, played his part satisfactorily, especially in the sentimental episodes. Mr Harry Power was well suited as Hercules Sexmith, and brought down the house with his admirable fooling in the circus scene, and Mr E. C. Calvert deserves a word of praise for his careful rendering of the minor part of Uncle Major. Mr Stewart and Mr Norman gave satisfaction in the characters which fell to their lot. Ms Bryer had an arduous part as Mrs Weebles, Spinfele’s ipother-in-law, and she certainly acted that obnoxious lady to the life, while Miss Lena Ellis, as thg niece, and Miss Lillie Bryer as Mrs Spinkle were all that could be desired. We are glad to say that the visit of this company has been so decided a success that they comtemplate returning to Ashburton on February 2f?th, when “The American” will be performed. The crowded houses Which attended on both evenings are proof tfie second visit of the company will be as well received .as the first, and the announcement made fast evening by Mr Emmet was received with hearty applause. _________