AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15870, 9 April 1917, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

• TOM, DICK, AND HARRY." "Tom, Dick, and Harry," as presented by the Charley's Aunt Comedy Company in tlio Theatre Iloyal on Saturday evening, to a good audience, proved to bo a very amusing and meritorious production. Tho comedy is so consistently extravagant as to be on the farcical side throughout, unci the laughter of tho audience, set bubbling in the first few minutes, was maintained steadily throughout the three, acts. Mr Norman Aitkeu, as General Stanhope, was of course the '.'king pin" ot' the caste, and nobly ho did his work of fun-making. In tn e first and second acts ho was excellent, and his standard was maintained in parts of tho third act except that at 6ome stages he wa6 inclined to spoil his effects by over emphasis and unduly dwelling upon a situation. Mr Kenneth Ait-ken gave splendid support as Tom Stanhope, the General's eon, round whose love affairs and his failure to wind his affections round the heart of the General's ward, tho wholo plot revolves. His personality was admirably adapted to the character portrayed, and lm succcssfulllj; met all the demands of many exacting situations. The complexities at times were amazing, as he, in his disguise which made him indistinguishable from two twin brothers, became involved in various cycles of their domestic life. Mr Jack '.Larson and Mr J. L. Phillips as Dick «ind Harry Winters respectively filled their parts well, and Mr "W. B. Keaney, in his comparatively minor part of Ned Morcland,was successful. Some skilful work in tho character of Br Harding was performed by Mr Paul Latham, aiid Mr Phipps Williams's brief appearance as Mr "YVigsoir was a pleasing incident. The ladies of the caste were perhaps not particularly brilliant, but still very meritorious acting was contributed by Miss Vera St. John (whoso great merit was her naturalness), Miss Ina McDonald, ana Miss Miriam Kutner. Miss McDonald's part of the weeping widow was an exacting one, but sho rose to tho occasion very well. Miss Kutner was bright and cheerful. With Miss Brown,' in view of her former elocutionary sue-cc-ssos, Eomo littlo disappointment may be confessed, as she had not quite attained the ability to make elocution subservient to acting. Of the production as a wholo tho verdict must bo that it was surprisingly excellent and humorous. The laughter of tho audience was aJways at command, and it is "safe to say "that every person pre- j sent thoroughly enjoyed tho entertain- - inent offered. . . Tho season will bo continued this j evening. | OPERA HOUSE. j Dull care received short shrift, and was moat'completely banished ot the. Opera Houso on baturday afternoon | and evening when, after a brief f-us- j pension, fuller's Vaudeville Company j appeared Before largo audiences, which wero lavish in their expressions of appreciation. Tho finished artistry of Miss Violet Trevenyon found full scope in the new songs contributed by her. The pathos or "Baby's Shoes' was most appealing, and in the numbers which dealt with lighter and mere humorous subjects, Miss Trevenyon was equally successful, attaining her effects by restraint and naturalness bo frequently absent from the average Borio-comedienne's offerings. The numerous recalls Miss Tjevenyon responded to indicated the spontaneous appreciation of the audiences. Miss l>ora Oberman, already favourably known, was successful in her operatic selections. »Mr Antonio Molinari, an operatic tenor, made his initial appearance in this city, and sang "Let Mo\ Like a Soldier Fall," -and - also "La Marsellaiso," though his most effectivo number was an Italian operatic air. Of the fun-making items, the tarn given by Armitage and Hine, was side-splitting, the lady's Yorkshire songs and funnyisms being especially fresh and provocative of mirth. The musical sketch, "Music Afloat," bp Sterling and LovCj was. also a laugh-winner, and was clevorly given. Billy C. Brown, the coon celebrity kept the audiences thoroughly amused, and ■ scored heavily with his sketch of the darkey preacher. Mr George D'Alma gave banjo selections with pleasing effect. Mr Phil Percival greatly amused. with his piano comedy act, Mr Charles Edenbury agajn manifested his cleverness as an equilibrist, and Leonard's poodlee •roused much enthusiasm with their :lever feats and antics. This afternoon it a special matinee performance and to-night the same programme will be repeated.