"MR. HOPKINSON."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 639, 16 October 1909, Page 10

"MR. HOPKINSON."

y-: THE HUGH WARD COMPANY, "r " : 1 "Mr.' Hopkinson," a farcical! comedy, 'in three acts) .by' Mr.' E; C, Carton..., Cast.;' —""'.. ■ . ■';;.. Duke of Braeoborough, Mr. Reginald Wykehara. Duchess of Braceborough .„ Miss Grace Palotta Hop. Otho Dursinghnm ..-. Mr,' Arthur Eldred Lord Gawthorpo .... Mr. Wernham S. Ryott ;Earl of.Addleton. ....,....,...:.;.. Mr. Robert Greig Lady .Thyra Egglesby ....;..., Miss Ruby Baxter Biisset ;,.■...,..:.;...... V. .Mr. H. H. Wallace Mr. Smethurst ......... Mr. William B. Beattio Elisa Dibb ....'...;..;...'....:..-Hiss Rose Musgrovo Mr. Hopkinson Mr. Hugh J. )Vard AVhen Mr. R.,C. Carton wrote "Mr, Hopkin-son'.-ho went within : measurable: distance of a great-comedy.' > It isdescribed as a farcioal comedy quitn erroneously.- Truly it does' lapse into tho. farcical on occasions, but ,the senso.and feeling that' pervades tho.play is not'that of a : faroioarcomedy, and the, intelligent - treatment which it receives at' the hands, of Mr. Hugh Ward's highly '-talented company goes 'still ■■ further ' to remove that- impression. -It' is ' the '• case' of |.the ' parvenu Hopkinson, ' who laden . with' unexpected wealth dosires to soar in the'social scale,, and-is afforded the opportunity 'for •doing so by an impecunious cliquo of noble lineage, who brcatho tho atmosphere of Mayfair and 6pcak a laugungo which brilliant playwrights would-have the world boliovb is Jommon to that atmosphore. Viowing the general scheme of the whole play, one can admiro the piquant-dialoguo and the skilful construction of Mr. Carton, without being convinced as to whether after all those who inveigle .the-ex-grocer's .'accountant'are. not really more sordid than Hopkinson, who is dcspicablo enough' in all conscience. If it were not for the Blaring mesalliances that shout out from the columns' of popular London papers,' it would be difficult to conceive Lady Thyra agreeing to an alliance with such an one as"Hoppy," who is so hopelessly plcbian in tastes and character. Her rovulsiqn at the prospect of such a marriago ■is just "as natural' asi-her' escape to the arma of:ier. aristocratic."pal," who,• in ;..turn,- is prig'enough'to fix up: his marriage on tho strength of a .£IOOO borrowed from tho despised Hopkinson.' Though they. scintillate in tho conversational way, they,are a.shady lot all round-rail except Eliza Dibb. ' She is Mr. Hopkinspn's one "entangleirient," and when, by chance or intrigue; she becomes maid to Lady Thyra," she sees duty clear, keeps her head, and shows that" she-has a heart, too. The charm of the play lies in its dialogue, which in sorao passages, approaches the polish of Wilde, but though fine in itself, the theme in just a little distasteful—there remains, after.the.feast, a suggestion of ash'between the. teeth.

.In the Ward Company thoro are the potentialities of another Brough and Boucicault Company, and the bopo is expressed that Mr. Ward, in whom ouo . recognises an actormanager of quite exceptional ability, may so establish himself in this part of tho world, as to revive tho.great traditions of that best of stock companies. From the performances which the company has given in Wellington, playgoers will recogniso that he has the talent within easy rcaoh, Last evening his own performance, in which the man became quite absorbed in, the character, glowed with a studied realism, only discoverable in actors of the highest grade. Bis accent, his little tricks in 'make-up," "Hoppy's". nervous trepidation as he meets a real, live duchess, his ignorant arrogance when he drops to the fact that a .titled lady is being forced upon him, and his pathetio attempts at style and ease, were, all depicted with an artistry only too rarely seen on the colonial, stage. Miss Grace Palotta, perfectly gowned, glided through, the part of the Duchflss of Braoebofough with a sang. froid delightful to witness. Her every movement is grace. Miss Rose Mussrovo was perhaps a little too refined' as Eliza Dibb, but her acting wa* satisfying and effective. In Mr. Reginald Wykoham, the company possesses an actor of pronounced capability and polish. His Dnke of Braceborough was sound inevory particular.. Mr. W.' S. Ryott made a handsome figure as Gnwthorpe. and Mr. Robt. Greig's Earl of Addleton added to that actor's claim as a character f actor of decided, talent. Miss Ruby Baxter was nicely in the picturo as Lady Tbyra, and Mr. W. Beattie mado a good fnmily lawyer. The season concludes this evening, when "Mr. Hopkinson" will bo ropeated. The Prime Minister is to attend .to-night's performance,