"LOVERS' LANE.".

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1052, 15 February 1911, Page 9

"LOVERS' LANE.".

"Lovers' Lane," a comedy-drama in three acts by Clyde Fitch. Cast—

Hev. Thomas Singleton ... Harry Pllmraor Herbert Woodbridgo .. Eeyno'.de Donnlstpn Undo Bill a Hairy Neville Henry.Brown Charto Tlirosby Mr. Skill!* .1 Paul Latham Deacon Steele .'. 8. A. Fitzgerald Mary Larkln Myra Wall Mr!. Herbert. Woodbridico ■• Alyco Holroyd Aunt Martha Alice. Doorwyn Mlns Tlattio 1....;... Valentino Sidney, Bridget Mario Lo CroUetto Mrs. Henry Brown f. Tempo I'lcott Miss Molly Mcaley , Beatrico Usher

"Lovers' Lano" has come back to tho Opera House to receive tho kindly welcome that is its due. As a play it,is not perhaps distinguished or intellectual. That U frankly does not pretend to be, but- its literary simplicity and placid action, tW pretty little-tale that is old in tho verdant precincts of. the Old AVorld English hamlets carries with it an atmosphere that is clean and sweet and wholly understandable. It is quito natural that the sympathies of the audience are at onco enlisted by tho author in tho quiet jibe ho pokes nt tho view tho quaint inhabitants of tho village take of tho brightly ■ progressive and rational behaviour of tho young parson,' the Rev. Thomas Singleton, tho central figure of the play. Whilst he, with his big heart anduntramelled mind, is doinsj his level best to brighten up the social life of tho place the ■ tnttle-brokers and ■ scandalmongers mako it their sevcro duty to: heap upon' his ample shoulders nil tho trifling misdeods'in the calendar, until at length tho advocate of muscular manly Christianity is forced to resign the charge of tho little church which nestles so cosily in. Lo.vers'. Lane. Tho story of how things in thooi parish go askew, and how Mr; Singleton is waited on by a delegation asking him to'resume.his cheerful: sway onco moro serves- admirably to introduce somo capital character-drawing, a" wealth of simple comedy, and a few acceptable touches of emotion. Incidental to tho chief cause of the disturbance of tho rural calm is. the reverend gentleman's love affair with sweet Mary Lnrkiii, the dramatic episode of the Woodbridgcs, the merry "alarums and incursions" of Simplicity Johnson, the American waif, whom tho parson has sheltered from the rude world, and the billing and cooing of Aunt Martha and Undo Bill; who' are also pensioners on. the minister's bounty. Another brightening influence in the play, and one which will servo to make it popular wherever played, is the school sceuo of tho. second act, in which a bevy of clever . children are concerned, mostly in the singing of bright choruses in tho main street of tho village. Eight through "Lovers' Lano" a fine healthy sentiment is raised, and there is a robust heart interest that finds an echo in, every normally-constituted breast. ■ ;

Tho play, which was presented to a delighted audience by tho Plimnier-Dennis-tqn nt the Opera Übnso last evening, is competently acted. Mr. Harry Plimnicr's cheerful and breezy personality is just tho for such a man as the Rev. Thomas Singleton, a character which he plays with an attractive froo-nnd-casiness and wholcsoino masculine spirit.. There is really only one big dra-. nmtio moment in the play, where the parson,' driven to the wall by • crabbed womenfolk of Ills flock, thunders his defianco nt tho world of evil-thinkers and small-minded. Hero Mr. Plimmer rote to - the occasion in fine style, and a round of ,applauso followed his fiery denunciation,that accompanies the hurling in of his resignation. Hiss Lizetta Parkcs, who is very immediately concerned with-the action of tho play, was deliriously 'cute as Simplicity Johnson, and her clever acthiK and whimsical ways, and sprmhtly precocioiisncss, made her a, wonderfu) favourite with the audience, if a fault could bo found—and there are few. in the whole- performance— it is that she makes "Simple", too neat for such 'a ronipish littlo rogue. Ouo of the most prominent and consistently good character" sketches presented was the Miss Mnttio (tho parson's housekeeper), of Miss Valentine Sidney. Mr. Reynolds Denniston was quietly effective as Herbert AVoodbridgo, rind his scene with his tiny sou (prettily played by little Hilary Lawrence), was one of tho tonderpst points in tho piny. Miss Alice Holroyd met the demands, of Mrs. AVoodbridxo with confidence, and Mr. Henry Nevillo and Miss Alyce Deorwyn, as a dtar old Derby nnd Joan couple, played, delightfully together. Mr. Thrcsby mado Brown, tho village grocer, a jolly old party' of lenient views; Mi« Mym Wall was plump nnd pleasing as Mary Lnrkinj Mr. Paul Latham made a capital billsticker; and Vjss Marie Lo Croiselto put plenty of dishevelled Irish into tho rolo of Brideet. Tho scenery was altogether pleasing. Tho sots showing the ; parron's orchard in spring hml autumn wore two of the pwtlirst exteriors seen on tlio stace cf tho Opern House for a considerable time paf,t. and tho village fcsnc in which the schnnl children disport themselves, nnd in which' Miss Parkes sings "The. Old R<?d School." was alive with natural jdws, onco again pmphnsisine the completeness of tho company's equipment.. Two characters that nUo d<*ierve favourable commnit'was tho Mrs. Brown of } liss Tempo Pigott, and the Molly Mealy/of Mih B. Bentrico Usher. "Lovers' will be played apnin this evening. •■■

In order, rhiellv, to cive the. inmates of several of the eharitnUe institutions nn npportiinitv to see "Lovers' Lane," Jiewrs. Plimmer and Denniston. whoso efforts in this direction are not forgotten in AA'cllington, have decided to givo n "int'nw performance of "Lovers' Lane." •it the Dnera House this afternoon. Tho flnors will open nt 1.15 p.m., , anil tho performance will commence nt 2.30 p.m. slinrp. This will triv<! mothers and chililren nn-blo to attcn- , . tho performances •'n t'.u , evening nn opportunity of witnessii"? th'« ehAnning plnv. which is not 'ilcly to ly> 'ren in New Zealand attain for a lone time. Children will bo ndmir!ml It ->M pads of tho house at half tho iiMinl rat- 3, *. | Thr; P'-'iimor-DrnniMon Company will noFiHvnly miks its Inst appearance in Now Zealand in "A Message from to-morrow eveninu. Tt wns originally intnuded to nlny "The Passing of the Ji'hird Fl<wr Back," but owinjj to the general and particular requests received, it has been decided to stoso Kobcrt Qanthony's clever comedy once more.