"LADY FREDERICK."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 6

"LADY FREDERICK."

BRILLIANT ACTRESS IN ATTRACTIVE COMEDY. "Lady Frederick," a comedy in three acts, by AY". Somerset Maughan. CastLady Frederick Borolles Ethel Irving Sir Herald O'Mara. J. Pliimntoii Wilson Jlr. Paradino Fouldcs Stephen T. Ewart Lady Mereston Violet Ley Lord Mereston Warbnrton Gamble Captain Montgomery Hn-lliwell llobbes Admiral Carlisle Gilbert Porteous Rose Eily Malyon Thompson Townscud Wliitling Pierre Sidney liucklaiul Madame Claude Florence Nelson Albert Monts Luke Angcliquo Gwcn Burroughs 'Wellington playgoers had the exceptional pleasure on Saturday evening of witnessing at the Opera House tho work of two remarkably fine artists, Miss Ethel Irving, tho eminent English comedy actress, and Mr. W. Somerset Maughan, the author of the play produced, "Lady Frederick," o'no of a rather sensational series of successes made in London by a comparative novice in stage literature over four years ago. Miss Irving was associated with that success, and, indeed, one can believe, after witnessing lief performance, that she was the chief factor which marked the comedy as tho mast brilliant successes of its year (1907-3), for it is doubtful if the whole theatrical world were searched that a moro bewitching "Lady Frederick" could lie discovered. On tho other hand, parts so alluring in their sympathetic appeal, presenting such an agglomeration of moods are not written every day. It is distinctly a case of mutual congratulation between author and actress—an established affinity. And what of Miss Irving? Firstly, slie is probably the finest comedy actress that has visited New Zealand. Of medium height, she is slim and supple in stature and without much pretention to the ordinary typo of stage beauty; she looks well always, has a hundred winsome ways and expressions that immediately win the sympathy of the audience, even as the musical timbro of her voice wheedles, blarneys, and blazes its way into the heart and understanding. At the back of it all is that indefinable temperamental quality that grips and sways. She is able to check a chuckling audience and hold it tensely expectant by the sudden droop of an eyelid, or the lowering of a tone. The whole of her work is subtle and quite devoid of theatrioalism—she is natural in all things, which, after all, is the perfection of the art which conceals art. "Lady Frederick" is a brilliant example of modern comedy, closely packed— perhaps a little too much so in places—with smart epigram, gracefully written, and with a blaze of dramatic firo here and

there to thicken up the interest. It exhibits Mr. Maughan as a writer with a deft touch, and one with a strong grasp on the manners of the times. His Lady Frederick is a character destined to linger pleasantly in the memory for a long time. Lady Mereston is outraged on discovering that her son, Lord Mereston, has fallen in lovo with her widow friend, Lady Frederick Barolles. She knows tho woman to bo chronically up to her eyes in debt, but realising that that would not be sufficient to choke her brother off, boldly challenges her morality. Young Lord Mereston cannot'hear his inamorata insulted, even by his mother, behind her back, summons her, and face to face Lady Mereston accuses Lady Frederick of an uffair in the past, and produces the latter's own letter confessing the lapse. With her Irish blood thoroughly aroused, Lady Frederick explains that the letter was written to shield her dead sister-in-law, whoso married happiness and future would have beon blasted by the exposure of her indiscretion. In retaliation for Lady Mereston's deliberate attempt to blacken her name, Lady Frederick sets out to destroy hor peace, of mind for ever, with tho aid of a little bundle of letters which the late Lord Mereston (a prig who had posed all his life as a pillar of the church) had written to a French ballet dancer. At tho final moment her intention is checked by Paradine Fouldcs, the wise old roue, who knows everything, and the impulsivo little Irishwoman, shaken with contending emotions, bums the bundle of letters, as the innocent Lady Mereston a.nd her son wonder what it is all about. She does not know that Paradino had offered Lady Frederick .C7OOO that morning for those littl'j bits of ilaming paper. Pauline and Lord Mereston believe, and the latter renews his oll'er of marriage there and then, and is practically refused by (lie outraged lady. At last he is told to call at 10 o'clock the following morning, and there tho clever lady by making her toilet and "make-up" before him in a full blaze of the sunlight, disillusionises the young fellow pretty completely. But there is Pnradine—the shrewd man-about-town, who can distinguish gold from dross, and pits the heart against the complexion. The other interest in the play concerns Lady Frederick's impecuniosity. A reckless' borrower, who says that in trying to practice economy she has been ruined, Lady Frederick lias signed bills which have been bought: up by Captain Mnntgomcrio (son of a Jewish moneylender), who endeavours to force marriage on Lady Frederick in return for relenting her bills and those of her brother's. The cad's trick is frustrated by Paradine and Admiral Carlisle finding Hie money (showing that Ladv Borolles and her brother. Sir Gerald O'Mnra. though they may be poor are lint proud). The evasion of a debt is alwavs food for comedy with the pinywrigbt, and capital use if mnilo nf it- in "Lady Frcdoriok." The boom in which

Lady Frederick reduces tho limning dun Madamo Claude from a condition of "sland-aml-doliver" to one of abjection was delightful, and exhibited Miss Irving in a rare spirit of roguish comedy. Another quaint scene is that where Sir Gerald O'Mara and his fianco wrangle as to where their son is to be educated—Dublin or Oxford, a question that is settled by Admiral Carlisle declaring that as soon as his daughter (the fiance) was born ho determined that her son should go to Cambridge. A notably excellent performance is that of Mr. Stephen Ewavt as Paradino Fouldcs. He suggests tho blase, worldly-wise epicurean with amiable dignity and polish. There is firmness and weight in his touch, and he, as chief purveyor of the epigrams, knocks them off with the air ot a man who is used to be listened to. Mr. ITalliwcll Hobbs us Captain Montgomerip takes his work seriously, and is effective. His restraint in* not making a "bounder" of the character was a virtue. Miss Violet Ley, who is gifted with a charming stage presence, was Lady Mereston. She has a distinction of manner and good elocution as aids to an admirable performance of an unsympathetic role. Mr. Gilbert Portcous, .is the bluff "tubby" Admiral Carlisle was well enough suited, but Mr. Warburton Gamble was a stiff and hardmannered lover. Ho had no soft moments —no moments of any kind. Mr. J. Plumpton Wilson and Sir Gerald O'Mara, and Miss Malyon as Rose, were rather an uninteresting young couple. Miss Gwcn Burroughs made quite a nice Angelique, and Miss Florence Nelson was well suited as fashion's hand-maid, Madamo Claude. The comedy is admirably mounted. The first set, a balcony-room looking out across the blue waters to Monaco, was prettily effective. "Ladv Frederick" will bo repeated tin's and following evenings.