ALLAN HAMILTON COMPANY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1399, 27 March 1912, Page 6

ALLAN HAMILTON COMPANY.

"A MESSAGE FEOM MAES." j "A Messago from Mars," a comedy by Robert Ganthony, in thre<\acts. Cast:— Horace Parker- ...: Kenneth Brampton The Messenger from Mars Eobert Greig Tramp John Forde Arthur Dicey Hilliartt Vox Miss (Aunt Martha) Muriel Dale Mrs. Clarence Lilian Lloyd Polly ■ Katie Towsrs Mrs. Ferguson Hazel Hart Mrs. Johson Agnes Keogh Minnie Templar' Beatrice Holloway Few comedies wear so well as "A Message from Mars." The reason for this is fairly apparent. It embodies an appealing preachment' against the abiding and extremely popular sin of selfishness, which, whilst pinching and ■ searing the worldly and inconsiderate, gives a deal of quiet 'pleasure to thoso conscious of not being m quite so parlous a condition as Horace Parker. In its preaching, the comedy never becomes dull or tedious. The weirdly fantastical idea of introducing a resident of the planet Mars as chief persecutor of the most selfish man in London adds a not unpleasing melodramatic touch to the action, and affords a .sound excuse for a good deal of whimsical comedy, and a touch or two of pathos. With such elements, Eobert Ganthony has written a play that will always bear revival at the hands r.f competent players. The qualification is essential, for Mars" calls for intelligent acting in almost every role. Tho comedy has now been played at least half a dozen times in Wellington since Mr. W. F. Haivtrey introduced it a decado ago. yet it drew tho biggest audience of the season at the Opera House last evening. The present company give n satisfactory, if not brilliant, performance. There were little signs here and. there of imperfection in preparation, notably in tho anticipation of cues, but generally the comedy ran smoothly enough. The Horace Parker of last evening was Mr. Kenneth Brampton,whose performance was easy and consistent. An excellent foil was Mr. Eobert Greig as the Messenger, who delivered his linos with melodramatic unction appropriate to their moral strength. Tho tramp, a part which can never be tlissassociated from Mr. W. F. Hawtrey (the original in the part in Australasia); was played by Mr. John Fordo as a whining mendicant. There are flashes of dignity and pride in the part if the actor could but find them. Miss Beatrice Hc.lloway was a petite and winsome Minnie Templar, and Miss Muriel Dale, looking aggressively young, was Aunt Martha. Mr. Hillinrd Vox was Arthur Dicey, and Miss Lloyd appeared as Mrs. Clarence.