THE COMEDY.

Manawatu Herald, 3 November 1898, Page 2

THE COMEDY.

The curtain, after an overture by Miss Hamer, rose on the opening scene of the modern comedy of " My Mother-in-law," which is the story of the oft told tale of a wife's mother entering the house of a young couple and creating "ructions." The lady represented last night was a particularly dangerous specimen of her species, as it was narrated that having arrived at the residence of the Buds one night she upset the whole happiness of the home the following day. The plot was well delineated by the company showing that they had well studied their parts and had been well coached in their actions. The two chief characters, that of Uncle Foozle was taken by Mr Alf. Fraser, and that of Mrs Quickfidget by Miss G. O'Brien. The next character of importance was taken by Miss H. Collins as Mrs Bud, and then Felix Bud by Mr Mitchell. Miss L. Austin, as Mrs Fitzoshorne, was a young and pretty widow, and Mr W. Purcell took the part of Edward Waverley, her lover. Mr Betty made a capital upright footman. Mr Alf. Fraser, as stage manager, deserves the highest praise, as unto him was allotted the important task of coaching the actors new to the stage. The dresses and "make-ups" were very good and, for a time, disguised the identity of the performers. Mr Fraser interpreted the part of the uncle as an elderly man, rather tottering as to his locomotion, and with a distinct rasp in his voice. His calm endurance of the verbal attacks of the mother-in-law were very good as well as the scene in the second part where he, when not in her presence undertakes to suggest to that lady the advisability of retiring from the house, and then the exhibition of his very evident trepidation when announcing the same to her. His by-play also brought out many a hearty laugh. This is undoubtedly the best character we have seen Mr Fraser take, and we compliment him on his rendering of it. Miss G. O'Brien's part of Mrs Quickfidget was a great surprise to everyone, as we believe it is this young lady's first appearance in public, and her make-up, her action, and her distinct utterance were most satisfactory. That she had the heaviest part of the piece to carry will be conceded by all, and she had also, what is generally an awful position for an amateur, to keep the stage by herself and declaim and act. Her frequent attacks on one and all gave her an opportunity of showing her power of action and knowledge of expression which were very good. Acting to this young lady appears to be just natural. The scenes between her and the uncle were very good, both playing into each other's hands. Mr Mitchell, as the newly wedded husband, acted in the first part better than in the latter scene, as his dismay at such an institution as a mother-in- 1

law was too much forced. His " get up "was good, and he spoke out well. He is a very useful member of the company. Miss H. Collins, as Mrs Bud, had a great deal to say, and she said it with plenty of animation and gracefulness of movement, ajjfe^hji helped very materially the mov&jatt of the plot.

Miss L. Austin, as the widow and Mr Purcell as her lover played their parts well. The fact of thi« being their first appearance in public, was perhaps too much thought of by them. A word of praise has to be allotted to Mr Betty, his part was a small one tut he made the most of it, and in time we shall expect to find him having more to do. <L.-^ The performance was 9|hly Creditable and it came as a most pleasant surprise that a piece running into an hour and a half should run so smoothly. As the house, owing to the weather, was not full, we think the Club should arrange another and early date to repeat it, as we can recommend all to attend, and a good house is nearly certain. The scenery, especially painted for the occassion was a sitting-room tij|£ne and being nicely fnrjiished and made up with pictures and looking-glass, flowers &c, was a very pretty one. The first act was a breakfast scene, and 'the second an evening one. Mr Fraser desires us- to state that he received a great deal of assistance in the management of the piece from Mr Mitchell.

At the close of the piece Mr Alf. Fraser came before the curtain and thanked the audience for their attendance and the vocalists for their valuable assistance.