HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1002, 22 September 1903, Page 2

HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

“A MESSAGE FROM MARS.”

The above popular combination opened their season in tho Theatre Royal last night, when they presented Richard Ganthony’s remarkably successful and extremely fascinating play, “ A Message From Mars,” to a crowded and delighted audience. The piece is certainly a unique one, the playwright having intorwovon comedy and tragedy, mirth and pathos, impressive and laughter business in an artistically novel manner. Just when the tears of the audience are near the surface then comes a quip or quirk, a mirthful situation that turns the lachrymal current awry, and fills its channel with laughter. The changes are, however, always naturally affected, and to the complete satisfaction of the audience. The piece is full of honest fun, abounds in pathetic incidents, weird, original, elovating, and absorbing. Full of clevor and wonderful mechanical effects, splendidly interpreted, it is certainly the most attractive play yet staged in Gisborne. The conversion of Horace Parker from being the meanest, most contemptible, despicable and egotistical man on earth by the “ Messenger from Mars ” into a generous, open-hearted fellow, was closely followed, and when the reformation was

proved by Parker’s action in sheltering the inmates of a common lodging-house,

which was destroyed by fire, the hearty

burst of applause from the audience showed that they thoroughly appreciated

the sentiment of the author’s work. The various characters were all capably sustained by the talented members of the Company. Mr William F. Hawtrey’s study as the “ broken-down tramp ” is certainly one of the finest pieces of character acting yet seen in Gisborne, In the character of Horace Parker, Mr Gregan MacMahon had a part which suited him perfectly, and he scored a great success. One of the most notable performances in the piece is that of Mr O. P. Heggie as The Messenger, which was played in a finished and masterly style, which characterises an artist. Miss Winifred Austin, as Minnie Templar, Miss Emma Brooton (Aunt Martha), Miss Elsio Austin (Mrs Clarence), Miss Mary Bancroft (Bella), Mr Oily Deering (Dr. Chapman), and the other members of the cast all ably fulfilled their parts. The piece was mounted, dressed, and presented in a complete and faultless manner, for which the Hawtrey Company has established an enviable reputation. To-night the company will stage Francis Burnand’s highly successful farcical comedy, “The Lady of Ostend,” and those who want to eDjoy a real good hearty Jaugh should not fail to see to-night’s performance.

For the convenience of country patrons a special train will bo run after the performance to-night. To-morrow, the last night of the season, the comedy “ Tom, Dick, and Harry ” will be staged, the comedy being preceded by a charming Scotch playlet entitled “ A Highland Legacy.” Owing to the length of the programme, the performance will start at a quarter to eight to-morrow night.