" MAYTIME "

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 245, 10 July 1919, Page 3

" MAYTIME "

CHARMING ROMANCE REVIVED, ' "Maytime," that - charming, romantic play, elaborated with music, which was so successfully played here, by the Royal Comic Opera Company a few weeks ago, was revived by the company last evening at the Grand Opera House, before an audience which filled every 6'eat in the Mg theatre. As will be remembered by theatregoers, this play concerns the life history of certain members of the van Znndt family, of old New York, and extends over a. period of 77 years. In the first ant occurs the pretty love sceno between Otillio van Zandt and young Dick Wayne (her father's cooper). Swearing eternal fidelity, they are parted by old van Zandt, and Dick the place to, make the fortune with which he hopes to win .consent, to his marriage. Hero Fate takes a hand in the game. Otillie marries'her odious cousin, Claiirfft van Zandt, and Dick,' returning a middle-aged man and wealthy, finds his/old sweetheart the soured wife of a ro;(s and sot. The meeting at Delphine's rooms provides a fine dramatic interlude. Tho next age shifts into ..the sere, and yellow of the lives of the, lovers. .Otillie finds that she has to sell, her house and all its well beloved "gods" to pay her husband's gambling debts, but the sale is called off by Wayne—now a white-haired old gentleman, who purchases everything and hands it over to her w'hom his heart has held dearest for a lifetime. And the last scene of all, which comes as a surprise, is that in which a youthful Otillie and a spry Dick Wayno (children of the, old lovers) sport with love amidst the colour aqjl frou-froui of a modern costutoe atelier, and finally rectify tho mistakq of their parents in a charming manner. , The performance was wholly admirable. Miss Gladys Moncrieff as Otillie, .earns increased ■ respect and admiration for her work as an artist, and sings the haunting music with rare beauty of tone. Mr. Reginald Roberts gives a' good acting performance as Dick AVayiio (senior and junior), and marks the lapses of time adroitly in nwke-up and manner. Once again Mr. Leslie Holland repeats his thoroughly satisfying performance as Matthew van Zandt, an eternally amorous bon vivant, w'lio moves about 011 f tho edgo of the central story. TTis study of the nged Matthew—ninetysix and going strong—is one of tho most delightful old man vignettes wo can recall. Mr. Phil Smith rollicks volubly in broad comedy patter as the auctioneer, and' Miss Florence Young .ins Matthew's "third") is as "loud" as this somewhat preposterous character calls for. Other pads were capably assumed by Miss Addic Lennnrd, Mists' Eva Webber, Mr. Percy Claridge, Mr. John Ralston, Mr. Claude Bantock, and Mr. | Oliver Peacock. The sketchy musical score was .done the fullest justice to by those concerned. "Mayime" will be played again tonight, and to-morrow will give way to that, sparkling musical comedy, '''Oil, Oh, Delpliine," which can only be played for two nights. "The Pink Lady will be revived 011 Monday and Tuesday next.