THE “MARRIAGE OF KITTY”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 165, 8 April 1921, Page 7

THE “MARRIAGE OF KITTY”

A JOYOUS FARCICAL COMEDY To the delight of many, "The Marriage of Kitty," a farecial comedy that seems to be proof against the withering hand of time, wns revived by the Marie Tempest-Graham Browne Company at the Grand Opera House last evening. This play, as most theatre-goers -are aware, meanders deliciously in the noman's land between comedy in the pure and the utterest farce, and how cleverly it was (presented was proved by the roars of honest laughter that cobbled the pathway to Kitty Singleton’s paradise. Kitty is the god-daughter of one Travers, of Lincoln Inn, and being left lamenting by a father whose debts showed that he was "too young for his age/ she seeks the advice of the lawyer ns to her fortune. . Enter Sir Reginald Belsize. a sentimental but exceedingly charming ass, who has been left a hlge fortune (a long time before the cost of living went up) conditionally that he marries a year and a day after his uncle’s death, always providing that the other party is not a widow nor a Peruvian. It chances that the goddess of Reggie’s idolatry is both,, nnd„ fo get over the difficulty, Travers suggests a "temporary marriage,” and supplies the bride —at a price—to fill the bill. This accommodating person is, of course, the volatile but adventurous Kitty, who gets herself up as a guy to appease the fiery jealousy of the Peruvian, -who is after Reggie’s cheque-book rather than , his heart. At the church door Kitty and Reggie part,' the later to tour, under adequate chaperonage, with his Peruvian inamorata, leaving Kitty to find solace in 1 a pretty little country home. After a year’s absence Sir Reginald turns to consult Travers, and finding him on a visit to the temporary Lady feelsize, follows him there, to find his wife the dearest, smartest, and most accomplished and charming of woman. Reggie is enraptured. Impressionable, susceptible, spineless, and bored to death by the Peruvian, he finds Kitty a shaft of spring sunshine. There is the merriest of dinner scenes, with each .pretending to emulate the turtle dove for the edificaion of the servants, and each in the doing of it slipping deeper and deeper into the sweet slough of love. This charming state of things is interrupted violently by the arrival of the fury from Peru, who sees at once that Kity is a serious rival. She tries to force on the pre-arranged divorce, and in doing so shows the viper hand. There are "alarms and incursions,” hysterics and love interludes in a maddening pro cession, until Kitty, with her art and her brilliant toilets, completely bowls Reggie over, elopes with her own husband, leaving the Peruvian to make the best of it.

The comedy was acted in the very best comedy spirit. Miss Tempest was as delightful as ever as the all-coilquer-ing Kitty, and Mr. Graham Browne proved himself to be a farceur of incomparable drollery and' resource. Mr. Ashton Jarry gave a very fresh and vigorous performance of Travers, and Miss Dorothy Hamilton stormed, fumed, and fretted as the young lady from Peru. During the intervals Miss Nellie Black appeared before the curtain and played several violin solos in a manner that was artistically entertaining. "THE DUKE OF KILLIECRANKIE” TO-NIGHT. ■ The first and 'only performance during the farewell season of "The Duke of Killiecrankio’ will be given at the Opera House this evening, and Miss Tempest and Mr. Browne are assured a bumper house for the occasion. Those who have previously seen the brilliant work of the two great stars and their associate company will look forward, to another fine evening’s entertainment, and those who have not yet seen Captain Robert Marshall’s fine comedy have an experience in store which will become a happy memory for the rest of their lives.