"WHO'S THE LADY?

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2448, 29 April 1915, Page 7

"WHO'S THE LADY?

A WHIFF OF GAY PAREE "Who's the Lady?" a farcical comedy, by JUL Henmegrin and Veber, translated by Josio G. Levy. Cast-— Oyprien Gandet Henry J. Ford Octave Hofllmond Tom Shelf ord Manus Edward Landor Bienassi3 Olaud Yeruon AugusMn Tricoluto Frank Bradloy Francois ; Frcderio Hughes Bouquet Frederic Hughes Moulaijio Harry Swocnoy Pocho t Harry Sweeney Bftminique Reginald Kenneth Pinglet Reginald Kenneth Xlnilam Tricointe Sinna St. Olair Denise Olarieo Hardwick Sophie Elwyn Harvey Juliette Elwyn Harvey An?eline Alice Hamilton Gobette Ethel Dano

Perhaps the best way to enjoy "Who's the Lady?" tile farcical comedy produced by the Beaumont Smith Comedy Co. at the Grand Opera Hou§e last evening, is to imagine oneself in Pai?B, afld to laugh at its clever risque lines and situations just as the jolly Parisians do. Should there be those of irreconoilable'soberness.of habit and thought seeking theatrical recreation in a stol-. idly English fashion, they are apt to be disturbed at the license taken in this extremely clever and ainUsing comedy. Nothing quite so spioy in comedy has been seen in Wellington before, but judging from the - maimer in which it was received there was little doubt that last evening's audience enjoyed the new sensation. To be quite frank, there is a well-defined element of naugniness writ large over the play, but it is so cleverly suggested, and the complications are so extrenfely laughable, that it leaves Jio taste of nastiness. It all comes _ of' Gobette, a fascinating flirtatious little actress, being ordered out of her hotel through making things too gay in the sober little town of Grey. At a loss where to go, she repairs to the house of M. Tricointe, President of the local Court, and with the connivance of some of the President's associates secretes herself in his wife's room, that lady having gOrie to Paris. When the President's friends have departed, Gobette reveals herself, and states her intention of remaining for the night, as it is through the president that she has been deprived, of her bed at the hotel. Tricointe is at first indignant and alarmed, but is wooed almost into submission by the wiles of the charmer, when a knock is heard. The Minister of Justice (M. Cyprien Gaudet) enters, and Tricointe, to get himself out of a scrape, passes Gobette off as his wife. Gobette, an uncurable flirt, loses no time in coquetting with the Minister, who is forced by circumstances to stay the night, and the end of the act sees them more than friendly. The next act opens in the decorative offices of the' Minister in Paris, where he is visited by Gobette (still masquerading as Madam Tricointe). Cyprien is now madly. in love, and in a passionate sceno Gobette's dress.falls off, leaving her exposed in all her dainty lingerie. There is. an interruption, Gobette shelters in the next room, and the Minister throws her dress and hat into a coalbos which is taken away. * Then enters the real Madam Tricointe (an excook of generous proportions, and with a mania for polishing bra6s) to endeavour to forward her husband's promotion. 'The Minister takes her for the woman who has come to clean the brass-work, and gives it to her to do. Subsequently he borrows her dress and hat for Gobette to escape in, whilst complication becomes complicated by Gobette's dalliance with the Minister's secretary and the appearance of M. Tricointe, who has come to Paris to resign his position, feeling that he has stained his robes through His escapade with the actress. With women rushing round in. deshabille, and husbands, wives, and lovers all mixed and muddled, the Minister's apartments become a -rather warm oorner. The fun is sustained in.the final act by a comical love scene between the Minister's secretary, Octave, and Tricointe's daughter. Denise, who has been so long in Italy that has forgotten her French, and has to carry on a conversation with her lover through the medium of a funny gendarme. Finally Gobette confesses to a real passion for the Minister, Tricointe's conscience is cleared, Madam Tricointe's suspected folly is proved to have been non-existent, and Octavo and Denise ask permission to mar|7. Miss Ethel Dane made Gobette a dainty and alluring imp of mischief, subtle, daring, yet armed with that shield of reserve which is the peculiar quality of many clever women—in Paris. Whilst she was the daintiest mortal that ever, flashed a glad eye? she suggested the delicacy ana refinement of a perfect lady. With such manifold graces she succeeded in pleasing everyone—it was the cleverest performance of the kind we have seen in Wellington. There was no weakness in the cast. Mr. Frank Bradley, a most capable comedian, got right into the skin of M. Tricointe, and gave a delightful portrait of a ■ quaint old official "gone to seed.'-' His wife was cleverly played by Miss Sinna St. Clair, who skilfully conveyed the bourgeois origin of the President's "mistake." Mr. Henry J. Ford made a breezy and attractive Minister of Justice, and Mr. Tom Shelford was bright and debonnair as Octave. Mr. Edward Landon was particularly good in the character sketch he gave as M. Marius, the Minister's chief usher, who has a deep-set hatred of all northerners, and a love of intrigue. Miss Elwyn Harvey •was delightful as the maid Sophie; Mr. Harvey Sweeney was largely responsible for holding up the where it might have drooped by his joyous burlesque of the gendarme-interpreter; and Miss Clarice Hardwicke was sweet and intelligent as Denise from Rome. _ It was a treat to. see such good mumming embodied in the one cast. "Who's the Lady?" will hold the stage for the'next few nights;