OH! SUSANNAH!

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 6

OH! SUSANNAH!

farcb comedy by amateurs. A farcical copiedy was presented by a party of amateur players, styled "The Thespians," in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night, The farce was "Oh Susannah!"; it was produced by Mr. Culford Bell, and the profits i.f the performance are to go to the Clara Rogers Comforts Fund for the I.M.C.A. Jlnt at Walton-on-Thames.

The plot of the comedy is after the model of that of "Charley's Aunt"-a practical joke which went sadly against the jokers. A young unattached doctor in the city had lots of admiring friends, but no money and no practice. It- was therefore with the greatest of satisfaction that he heard of the approaching risftof his ono rich relative, a very dear old maiden aunt. Ono of his mischievous companions thought to play a joke on his friend by impersonating; the aunt, hut the doctor heard of it, and made his arrangements to give the sham aunt awarm reception. But, unfortunately for him, the real aunt arrived first, and the poor little lady was treated abominably by her nephew and the house menials. Afterwards the sham aunt came along, and thingß were in a dreadful tangle until, the two aunts met, and the friend had to own up to his masquerade. There were a few other, things that the joung nephew had to explain, hut as he had nothing worse than a clandestine roarriage to his discredit, he was able to get out of his troubles. The play proved to be funny enough to keep the audience in a continual state of merriment, nor was the laughter always suppressed, Mr. Culford Bell had the biggest part as the young doctor, and his performance was in all respects a sound one To a performer of his experience and parts this character presented no difficulties. Miss Flo Gow, as an eccentric maid with a secret passion for the doctor plavcd a good part with conspicuous success." It was really a remarkably good performance. . It was her good fortune to be "iven the Dart' which allowed ner to make most of the fun of the nlay, and -she missed no opportunities at all. Miss Constance Theel gave a very„correct and safe impersonation of a digninert and nervous maiden aunt. Miss A Gr L e ,"" iutt plaved the surreptitious bride. Lite chief characteristic of this bride w-as that she was extremely jealous. a£d while the play makes the jealousy obvious enough, Miss Greening might have made it more fiorce Mr. Vryn Evans made the most, of the DWt of an egregious and ver?; fiiißpicious father of two Presentable and mfirnaceabie daughters- . Gnllichnn and Mis* Gertrude Andrews were the presentable daughters, and Mr. Then Mills and Mr. I, F Inch were their (wo suitors, friends of the doctor, -liss Francs Swell had a small part as tho landlady who was paid, and M m Fanny Kuiner was a very pert little %uM}lay is to be repeated this evening.