"THE LITTLE DAMOZEL"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 208, 28 May 1920, Page 8

"THE LITTLE DAMOZEL"

HOW TO BE JEALOUS THOUGH MARRIED "The Little Damozel," a comedy-drama in three acts, by Moncltton Hoffe. Cast:Walter Angel Charleß Lawrenco Papa Bartholdy Frank Morris The non. Fitzroy Locke Harold Moran Abraham William Buckley Peoo Louis Machilton Oantain Neil Partington ... George Bryant Julie Alardy , Ernita Lascelles Ecclaw Poole Herbert Hanson Gifford Shirley Maxwell Sybil Craven Hilda Williams By tts title "The Littlo Damozel," presented by the new J. nnd N. T;iit Company at the Grand Opera House last evening, suggests a laid-in-lavender early Victorian play of simple fragrant charm, but titularly Mr. Moncltton HofTc is a deceiver, for that iB not at all the character of the comedy-drama, -which is quito modern, has a certain strain of originality, and some lineß witty and philosophic. The leit motif, which is pursued with some ingenuity, concerns the clashing of two people who in the past havo been engaged to one another transversely to their present relationship. It would scorn that the author has been seized with that notion in the first place, and had worked back a little, and given it a happy ending—and there yo,u are. Thedamozel, instead of being a demure and dimpled young mins in a pink crinolino, turns out to be a very sophisticated young harpist in the bijou orchestra of a dubious cafe, who is held in tender affection by everyone concerned for virtues which are not glaringly apparent. Julie, with an cyo to business, has fastened on to the wealthiest natron of the place, one Captain Nell Partington, a rather dour roue, and the engagement of tho two iB common property, But Partington, when with his own set, becomes enamoured of another lady, and wishing to make the way clear* for a break with Julie (who has Bomo' interesting, correspondence of his), offers the handsome young waster, Heclaw Poole, £10,000 if he can win and wed tho harpist. Poole consents to do it for £15.000-nn extra £5000 for the letters, and forthwith lays siege to the willing young lady's heart and hand with complete success, Julie's lagging consent being quickened by a bogus telegram announcing Poole to bo tho heir to a considerable fortune. The second act sees tho Ponies quito a, happy married couple, and "Becky" making money like a budding Rockefeller. Partington calls for his letters, and Julie tells him he can have them if he will bring his new financco for her to lnolc over. "I want to see," says Julio, "what she has got that I haven't!" Enter Sybil Oarew, a healthy country girl from thi> shires, who hnnt6 with the hounds and brings with her a flavour of new-mown hay and early primroses. The ladies chat, until Sybil scents the. c'garette the damozel puffs so naturally. Becoming in terested. she examines the cigarette box, and calmly announces that Julie'B hueband is the Mr. Eeclaw she was once engaged to. Seeing trouble ahead at th« disclosure. Partington tries to get Sybil away, but Julie asks her if she would care to see her husband. Sybil consents, Poole is called—and the volcano burnte. Believing himself to have been the dupe of Partington, nnd that the latter lias removed a rival and a dangerouß woman by the one bribe, Poole In a flashing scenes gives away fhe wltolo details of tho sordid scheme, how Partington hart paid him £10.000 to marry Julie. Th» outraged "damozel," r.tung to the quick, vents her wrath on Poole, and Sybil coolly leavcß Partington on the mat-for ever. Tho final act'is one of mawkish reconciliation. Back at the old restaurant, the Hon. Fitzroy Locke, a, flippant friend of all, becomtß Ecrious on meeting, Julie once more, and tells her that Poole has spent £2000 on life insurance In companies which pay out on Buicides, and his conclusion is tint Poole is about to take his own life. Having shot this telling' bolt, he calls fa tho reckless policyholder, and after some slight skirmishing, Julio cries aloud for her "Becky," nnd the curtain falls. The play is not altogether a, strong one. A great deal depends on the handling of the characters, and there is room for improvement in several instances. A bold, clean-cut performance i» that of Mr. Herbert Ranson m Ecclaw Poole. His magnetic personality has a brightening influence on the rather "talky" first act. and the dramatic Ecene of the middle act saw him take caßy command of the situation. He was convincing in style, and grippy in tone. Mite Ernita Lascelles as' Julie was scarcely at home in the comedy scenes, hut in the dramatic flash which brings down the second curtain, the strong declamatory "■."ourei.l" sho administers to Poole struck tho right note, and the triumph of tho one moving scene in the play was fairly chared • with Mr. Hanson. ' Mr. Harold Moran was mildly amusing as the Hon. Fitzroy Locke, and Mr. Charles Lawrenco was natural as tho downright proprietor of the Cafe Anrrelique. Papa Bartholdy, a sentimental old bondsm™ if an in""*wig. was played by Mr. Frank Morris, and Messrs. Louis Maciiilton a I'd inlliam Buckley also figured as purveyors of the festive jazz. Miss Hilda Williamß was tno immature in stage experience to get the best out of the role of Sybil Carcw. The play, which is nicely mounted and costumed, will he played for the next few nightß. "Daddies" is to be revived for a. night or two at the end of | the season.