"TOM, DICK AND HARRY"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3072, 7 May 1917, Page 7

"TOM, DICK AND HARRY"

AMATEURS IN FARCE COMEDY "Tom, Dick, and Harry," a farcical comedy in three acts. Oast: — General Rui'us Stanhope Mr. Norman Aitken 'lorn Stanhope Mr. Kenneth Aitken Ned Moreland ... Mr. W. W. Crawford Dick Winlors Mr. .'lack Larsen Harry Winters .Mr. J. L. Phillips Dr. Harding Mr. Paul Latham Mr. Wigson Mr. Phipns Williams Mathow Mr. Frank Parker Oliver Mr. W. B. Kenny' Daisy Armitago • Miss Vera St. John Isabel Howard Mjss Ina M'Donald Mrs. WintoTS Miss Mabel Hardinge-Maltby Miss Molly Somers Miss Ruby Scott

'Amateurs have taken a now lease of life- in New Zealand since tho exigencies of war have more or less restricted professional' theatrical enterprise Truo it is that the latter-day amateur, as a rule, is inclined to stretch tho license implied by the status, but still, they can scarcely he rated ns anything else inasmuch ns they individually (in the case of the "Charley's Aunt" Comedy Company, at all events) engage in occupations other than the stago tho year round. On Saturday evening, , at tho Grand Opera House, this organisation, which has soveral amusing performances to its credit, revived that old-timo laugh-tor-maker, "Tom, Dick, and Harry," a farcical comedy that was introduced to this country by 'Mr. W. F. Eawtrey nearly a. soora of years ago. The farce still has good qualities as a' medium for laughter, as was witnessed on Saturday evening by an audience which expressed its approval in a manner altogether unmistakable. While the lapse of a score of years has preserved the fun caused by the hilariously comical and well-sustained run of amusing situations, the language, particularly ill the lovo scenes, has the stilt and creak of literary rheumatism, which at times tho players could not help reflecting. But that, is by the way. The farce was played a good deal more briskly than is usual with amateurs on a first night, the characterisation was a. little better than fair average quality, and the hearty laughter that vraA' provoked will bo even niore hilarious when the aotion is speeded up. "Tom, Dick, and Harry" depends for its humour on the confusion arising out of the very close personal resemblance of certain twins, Dick and Harry Winters, and Tom Stanhope (in disguise). Tho latter has had the temerity to love and propose to Daisy Armit, ago, the companion of Isabel Howard (his father's ward), instead of that young \ lady herself, much to the annoyance of General Rufus Stanhope, whose inflamed liver preserves in? him a continuous stato of violent, irritability. Such is the General's disgust that he orders Tom out of his sight,, and the_ latter, in order to be near Daisy, disguises himself with heard and wig .to tho likeness of a man whoso photograph he 'has picked up in the grounds of the seaside hotel thay are all staying at. That man happens to bo Dick Winters, the mentally insecure husband of Mrs. Winters (a shrewish type of Niohe, who weeps soakingly at the slightest provocation), and brother of Harry Winters, who is engaged to the giggling _ fruiterer, Molly Bomors. _ Harry is his brother's second self in appearance, and Tom's make-up is so good that ho makes a third "twin." _ With these possibilities for complications, it is easy to imagine predieaments_ that, ensue. Somebody is always kissing tho wrong girl; the girls cannot recognise their "ownest own," and the one married lady claims each of three separately, as her husband in the teeth of tho particular lady he is engaged to, whilst tho chutnoy-cured General slowly loses under tho strain the modicum of reason left him by India. The farcical spirit is well sustained by the threo young roeu never appearing together on the stage until tho last act, where they all becomo confined in a. private lunatic asylum, tho proper place for the Genoral to steady his tottering balanco and for mutual explanations. , Though a trifle "fakey" in make-up, tho. three "twins" (as tho General calls them) bore a capital likeness to ono another, and to tho audience were only recognisable one from the other by their voices. Chiof of theso is Tom Stanhope, a part that was capitally played by Mr. Kennoth Aitken, whose experience and natural talent has given, him a freedom and naturalness in action, voiccj and gesture alike admirable. Mr. Jack Larsen, as Dick, and Mr. J. L. Phillips as Harry, were scarcely so well equipped with the attributes named,\ Mr. Norman Aitken has given many better performances than General Stanhope. . Whilst he fumed and raged vehemently, and stigmatised, everyone as a scoundrel, the effect created was not sustained as it might have been, owing to the performer overlooking the value of a gradual crescendo. Mr. Aitken was rather youthful.for the old General, but his lively spirit and farcical resource were factors in keeping the fun going. As Dr. Harding, Mr. Paul Latham gave a clever character sketch, and Mr. W. W. Crawford was satisfactory as Ned Morelarid. ' The outstanding performance among the ladies was the weeping Mrs. Winter of Miss Mabel Hardmgo-Maltby, whose sopful mummery caused continual amusement. ; Miss Vera St. John was smart and dapperish" as Daisy Armitage, and Alias Ina M'Donald, who cut a fin© figure, and spoke her lines well, was rauoh more self-contained and cold in manner. Miss Ruby Scott, as Molly bomers, was as superficial and artificial a httle flutter as tho part demanded. Messrs. Phipps Williams, W. B. Keany, and F. Parker filled minor parts quite satisfactorily. lorn, Dick, and Harry" will be played up till Thursday evening, and on Jmday the season will close with a revival of "Charley's Aunt."