“Current Cash.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3693, 5 July 1906, Page 2

“Current Cash.”

The weather was anything but favourable for the above tion at the Public Hall last nevertheless, the Levin Amateur Dramatic Club appeared before a fair and sympathetic audience, who were not slow to show their appreciation of the unmistakealle talent displayed throughout the Staging of the melodrama. The plot was of the ordinary melodrama type, and was well sustained by a good caste of characters, all of whom had studied their parts so well as to give a real good characterisation. Briefly, the thoughts of the audience were centred round Capt. Mark Milton, who had been sentenced to death* Prior to the sentence being carried out, he trusted the carrying out of his will to Major Challis (a superior officer), but this gent forges the will and makes it out in his own name instead of Milton’s wife, who is thus debarred from enjoying Milton’s fortune. From Afghanistan the scene changes to England, where Challis is squandering and enjoying money of his villany, Mrs Challis and child becoming tenants of his. Eventually, ,( One Eye,” the Unknown, comes upon the scene, and he and Ned Bowles, who has been associated with Challis throughout the villany, become acquainted. “OneEye ’ ’ makes known the fact that he knows of the Major’s villany| and because of this he extract from the Major money by which he oftimes sees the supposed Widow Milton out of difficulties when Challis threatens her, with legal proceedings. This “ OneEye” turns out to be no other than Mark Milton, and after he has tricked the real will from Ned Bowles, and /urther,_s«twitted , XhftJiilf'he'makes himself known, and then the audience were treated to a stage fight, of which Milton gets decidedly the best. The concluding scene shows Milton (possessed of his own will) restored to his wife and child, all the minor characters well sustained, and . Challis taken into custody for h:s villany. The piece was full cf humorous situations, and “ Ned ! Bowles ” (Mr J. R. Goodall) kept the audience in roars of laughter, with his decided turn and quaint sayings. As the “ Re\aT* Lincoln Green,” (aknow-nothing . who falls in love with Delia Challis, but who is persuaded *o transfer his attentions to Sybil Milton, Mr C. G. Banks was a success, whilst Miss Gurney as “Delia Challis” put much life into her acting. As Sybil Milton of childhood, little HlktoBarratt possessed great memory-' in her part, whilst the acting of the elder Sybil Milton (Miss C. Williamson) was good, though the delivery may be improved. Mrs Goodall gave a professional • rendering of “ Mrs Milton,” and certainly looked the part, whilst as “ Mark Milton ” Mr J. Phillips’ forceful manner and good stage appearance established him as a firm favourite. His acting was almost perfect. It would be hard to find fault with Mr W. E. Faulkner as “ Major Challis,” whose stage appearance and general demeanour was so much bespeaking villany that hooting greeted his actions —a compliment. Mr H. Johnston (“ Colonel Carrington ”), Mr G. Whitehom (“ Hon Harry Chafferton ”), Mr H. Barrett (“Constable Harper ”), and Mr J. Johnston (“ Magistrate ”) were other characters that made up “Current Cash.” The staging of the piece was excellent and the scenery good. The Levin people are fortunate they have such exponents as Mr and Mrs Goodall at their head, for they both know their business thoroughly and the whole success must be due to their expert teaching. The company’s lady pianist and Edge Bros, (violin and piano), of Palmerston North, provided excellent music. At the conclusion, Mr J. R. Goodall thanked the audience for - their attendance and announced that the next appearance in Foxton of the Club would be in “Charley’s Aunt,” when we trust the weather will permit of them being welcomed with a bumper house, for they certainly deserve it.