OPERA HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1633, 27 December 1912, Page 7

OPERA HOUSE.

"GET-RICH-QUICK WALLINGFORD." "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford," a farcical comedy, bv Geo. M. Cohan, adapted from Geo. Randolph Chester's story. Cast:Eclward.,Lamb '....'.....'• E. Pcrio Bush Willie '.: - : •• Cyril Frcn-:h : ■j. an n .., Maud Wmgfleld Gertrude Dempsey ......... Eocalind Smeatou Mrs.-'"Andy" Dempsey lia-nan Dunn lUolrard Welles Arthur Glynn Dorothy, WcUcs Enid Bennett Horace Dow - HaTry Corson, Clara: Y o3 i ." , ..; H. Mafcuiiuoio J. liuf'uri'Waiiingford Fred NiDlu Judge' Kenneth U. Lampton „ r ,.. . . Oeorge AVhit-eh-sad. Timothy 8att1e5..'...... Hi H. Wallace Henry Quigg Sidney Smith E. B. Lolt John Do Lacey Tom Donahue ..'. • E » be ''> Gr - ei S "Andy" Dempsoy ......... James, H. Map-mnß Faniue Jasper '. Beatrice Hollowly G. W. Battkß .'......: •• Edwin Lester Clint Ha-rkhis •A.J" ,wde T 11 A £s??, Abe Gunther Sidney h. io .Bessio Meers ...: Margaret Dale-Owen

"• Parcical comedy is an old friend who has' been passing .us by for. many moons. The regret is all ours.. Still, it comes to us in the height of tho year-end-merry-lnnldiig season, and : tho new shoot from the old stock presented in tho racy American comedy ■ "Get-Rich-Quick Wnl-' iingford" will surely add ; to the gaiety of the community. George M. Cohan, a clever comedian and' comedy-constructor, Who has many successes to answer for in 'tho sphere bi light comedy, seized on a good thing when he, decided' to, adapt for the stage the exploits of,Rufus J. Wallingfonl, so delightfully'told by Geo. Randolph- Chester. ' 'There .is something in the comedy which reminds one forcibly of that class of ".Yankee' whose "smartness" : earned '. him a notoriety which commercial America is trying hard 'to live- down. ' Doubtless the breed of -the. Wallingfords still exists here as well as in America, in which case -the comedy will serve - as a, sermon 'as well as a laughter-maker. The farcocomedv may not have a great deal of genuine' wit- or literary grace, yet it has abundant virtues as 'a "goer" which sim,ply rush .one. into liking it, and when, "in" the second half, those touches of heart interest.occur, between the verbal speed trials, one realises the extent of its and the consequent success', of the comedy everywhere. The very', swish ; of the dialogue, 1 bristling, with American idioms and slang, the rush of incident, the very entertaining characters represented, the pleasure at" seeing them air become millionaires, and the personal charm of Mr, Fred Niblo as Wallingfbrd, all contributed to the general pleas-' ufe with which the comedy and company were received last evening. Rufus' J. Wallingford and his friend "Blackie" Daw, being pushed for money and feeling it, decide to exploit the "boobs": of Battlesburg, and "Blackie" goes ahead as advance agent,' and talks' loud and often of his friend the' biff Aaierican millionaire,- Rufus J. Wallihgfofd, who "is coming along with the'possible purpose of establishnsr a manufactory, and promises that'if this does take place' Battlesburg will be pretty thorouglily "shaken rip." By the time WalTingfbfd- does arrive "Blackie". has the place faitly excited, and the town band ■and- all the leading citizens turn, out to meet the' new arrival. Then comes the question: What are they to manufacture? Spying 'a counle of rusty-headed tacks in the carpet,'Wallingford suggests-a pateiit covered carpet tack, with the head covered with material the same colour as the carpet.. Ho tells a good story to the village hardheads, -who muter the unwonted influence of champagne and cigars, fall in. 'Even little Eddie :Lamb, the hotel clerk, falls like a pigeon to the.poulterer. ■ Then Wallingford gets a trolley-car concession'and is manipulating .the'real estate market- successfully. He and "Blackie" are about to "clean: up" and. "skidoo," I though lpatlito db'so, both having fallen "in love,-wheu'-they:are-paralysed by a big ..offer for,.;their tramway..concession, ,I'iie tack also"proves to beHib very thing the ivorld.is waiting for,-and they and all the "boobs".M-ey.-Wtre'going to despoil become so many millionaires, and live in affluence as the finest manufacturing centre'in the Middle.West continues to expand under ~the-inrluen.ee.of Wallingford.: ' - ~ Tie comedy is capitally ' acted to' the smallest part. Mr. Fred, Niblo strikes one as,a.particularly.fresh, clean-cut, dapper : American actor of the best stamp in'lightcomedy. He cuts aliandsbme figure onthe . stage, has a' voice ■■. capable of-' being "attuned to any mood,, and his faculty for speediug-uptho action denoted the actor with, plenty of. "lift" when called upon. His Wallingford is a delightful performance—smart, snappy,..'.bright as'aluminium in word and deed. • Two "of his "moments" were the scenes in which lie .flashes lightning-at. the-directors of the . Covered, Tac- Company, who dare to hint .'that he is using the funds of the company of his own, and his love scene 'with the pretty stenographer. Mr.- Harry Corson Ciarke.as "Blackie" Daw, offereda ' complete contrast to Mr.Niblo. llis humour peeled oft'; dry, aud much of his fine work was in facial and tonal, expression, which were exceedingly' good. The finish of experience characterised the impersonation,, .and., there was a touch here and there indicating, that the actor could do plays of .more consequence.' Mr. E. Perie .Bush -was: ideally fitted for the-role of'.Eddie. Lamb;. The innocence.and boiling enthusiasm of-youth lived in ; him.- , Mr. ..Bushels: a Wellington actor, .who, if he ..has many Eddie Lambs cast his way, will-forge'upwards in tho profession very .rapidly. Mr. James H. Manning presents' a clever, character sketch as Dompsey. : Mr. Robert Greig .(Tom Donahue) arrives in the last act in time to torie up the piece with his unctuous comedy and plump laughter. The ladies of: the company-are'clever, and attractive in none, of them .were real American, Miss' Beatrice Hollo-' way was pretty and plaintively.appealing as Fannie Jasper, the 'stenographer, who types her way into Wnllingford's affec:tions, and got the-right effect where she "calls-the pair," and they decline to see/ :Miss Enid. Bennett made a charming and youthful Dorothy Welles, and Miss Rosalind Smeaton, who makes such a mouthful of "Horace,"' resembled an escapee from the Dana' Gibson gallery. Master French acted, brightly as Willie, and Miss Marian Dunn was quite good as Mrs.' Denlp'sey. The comedy, which is' capitally inputted, will be played nightly until-further notice.

Among the audience were, his Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool, Miss Foljambe, Captain Eastwood,' •A.D.C.; and Mr. Gavin Hamilton (private secretary). The Prime Minister fffie Hon. W. F. Massey) and Mrs. Massey, and the. Hens. A'. L. Herdnian, and ,H. D. Bell wore also present.