"DADDIES"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 214, 4 June 1920, Page 9

"DADDIES"

A DELIGHTFUL COMEDY REVIVED "Daddies," a co.medy in four acts, by John Hobble. Cost— _ Mrs. Audrey Georgia Harvey Bobette Hilda Williams Parker Prank Morns William Eivers Louis Machiltou Ilobert Audrey Herbert Sanson Henry Allen Harold Morgan James Crockett, George Bryant Nicholson Walters Charles Lawrence Katie Boms Clydo Euth Atkins Ernita Lascelles lorry E)vl ° PowI ? Alice ("Little. Sammy"). Florence Hayward Francois and Co ,^ O iP n « Madamo Levinge Shirley \lnxwcll Nurse Miss Steele

John Hobble's very appealing and amusing comedy ".Daddies," played here a fort weens ago. by the J. and H". Tait players, was revived at tho Grand Opera House last evening with complete success.. The comedy givos the final page in tho history, of a New York bachelor's club, tho members of which (all old collego chums) have abjured women arid their wilos for all time-, as'they think. At the annual'gathering of tho club, held at the residence of Eobert Audrey, that bachelor's amiable mother—who has her own ideas on the ohief end of man-contrives that, as each membor has sworn of! marriage, they should at least "do their bit" in the social way by adopting a war orphan from (Europe. There is a premonitory kick at such a daring suggestioh, but at length all four of them succumb to Mrs. Andrey's sugar-coated logic, and each adopts a child. Tho real fun of the comedy begins when the orphans allotted to them turn up. Eobert Audrey is amazed arfd 1 perplexed to find that his "burden" is n cHarming elrl of seventeen summers, and the daughter of an old friend of the family (a little bit of his mother's white deceit!. Eobert finds himself strangely disturbed by the new addition to the household. Tho girl wishing to. bo amiable, hovers round,him, until,llo is not able to concentrate on his 'story-writing. At last, in desperation, ho says he cannot get on with his work whilst Euth is about, cud Euth, hearing this from an. other of the orphans' innocent lips leaves the house. Her departure brings matters to a climax. Eobert finds that lio is in love with the girl, and moves heaven and earth to find her, whilst his mother smiles eniirmatically.. In the last act, where tho children are assembled at a party at tlio home of tlio Audreys, each bachelor confesses to a "change of heart" towards marriage, and. even dour old Crockett, is brought to the altar rails by his little Lorraine's mother threatening to claim her, child, from whom the old man will not part. Finally Mrs. Audrey produces Euth and Eobert goes tho way of all flesh. Tho humour of tho comedy lies in the way the littlo one 3 twine themselves round the hearts of the baclielorß, and with one and all it becomes a oaso of "a little child shall lead tliem"—to Hymon's altar. Tlio comedy is capitally played in each particular character, and laughter free and unrestrained marked tho progress of the play. Mr. Herbert Eanson. a bright, purposeful actor, with a distinctly charming manner, made tho most of the role of 'Jtobert Audrey, ajid Miss Ernita Lascelles was. well placed as Eutli Atkins. A stsrlirig'comedy performance is given by George Bryant, as James Crockett, tho old invincible bachelor, and Trig subjugation by little Lorraine (pertly played by Elvie Powie) Is one of the many bright spoto In • the play. Miss Georgia Ifarvey 'Is nicely in the picture as Mrs. Audrey, and Miss Hilda Williams looks well as Bobette Audrey. Messrs. I/.. iUachilton, Charles Lawrence; Harold Moran, and -Frank Morris are also responsible for commendable performancbs. Miss Shirley Maxwell's subdited little sketch as Lorraine's mother in the last act was clover in its feminine anpoal. The comedy is excellently mounted and prodigally dressed. "Daddies" will bo played again this'evening and to-mor-row night.