“ THE TICKET – OF – LEAVE MAN.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 509, 20 November 1909, Page 3

“ THE TICKET - OF - LEAVE MAN.”

Commenting on the above drama as staged at Levin by the Foxton amateurs on Wednesday night last, the Horowhenua Chronicle of the 18th instant, says : “There was a fair audience at the Town Hall last evening to witness the performance of ‘ The Ticket-of-Leave Man ’ by the Foxton Amateur Dramatic Society. The merits of the performance deserved a much larger attendance, but of late Levin has been well catered for in the matter of entertainments. The Foxton amateurs essayed a fairly ambitious task in taking up Taylor’s sterling melodrama, ‘The Ticket -of - Leave Man,' and on the whole they acquitted themselves most creditably, the performance being a very consistent one throughout. The play is so well-known as not to need recalling. It is altogether on conventional lines, though the dialogue is of a much better literary standard than many modern dramas of a similar kind. Dr Adams had a difficult part in that of Bob Brierly, the hero, which he made a great deal of. His acting was natural and forceful, and in several of his scenes, notably with the villains, Jim Dalton and Melter Moss, and with hisj sweetheart, May Edwards, he gave a powerful delineation of the character. We are apt to associate the Lancashire dialect with the part of Bob Brierly, and in this Dr Adams was lacking, but the omission by an amateur was not to be wondered at. As May Edwards, the heroine, Mrs Rodie looked the part to perfection, and her acting was above the amateur standard throughout. She was typically the faithful sweetheart and wife through many difficult situations, and her performance as a whole was an admirably even one. The same remarks apply to Miss Kempton’s impersonation of the part of Mrs Willoughby, the garrulous old landlady. She showed high qualities as a comedy actress. Her make-up was admirable and she identified herself so much with the part as to keep the audience in roars of laughter while she was on the stage. She was well played up to by Mr K. H. Furrie, as Sam Willoughby, who was also responsible for a great deal of the humour of the play. Mr Furrie’s comedy was excellent, being decidedly funny, without any suspicion of over-acting. Mr G. S. Fowler, as the villian, Jim Dalton, gave a conscientious interpretation of his part, acting with much power and reserve force. Fie was sufficiently successful to merit the wholesale condemnation of ! the gods.’ Mr A. McCall was the typical stage Jew, an individual never seen outside the purlieus of London, if he exists there in real life. Such character parts are hard to impersonate, and Mr McCall wrestled with his difficulties manfully. The nasal enunciation ever associated with the stage Jew was not used, but we leave it to individual preference whether this was an advantage or otherwise. Hawkshaw, the detective, Is of course a great part in the play, and Mr J. T. Levett, though he acted well, hardly realised the whole of the possibilities- of the part. He gave a conscientious impersonation, however, and with more confidence will greatly improve in the character. Mr F. D. Whibley, as the elderly merchant, was entirely successful. He played with an amount of force and dignity which carried conviction. The minor parts of Maltby and Sharpe, played by Messrs W. M, Gordon and A. J. Imrie respectively, were in good hands, both actors doing all that was required of them. The play as a whole was given in a manner that evinced capable instruction and faithful rehearsal, the hand of that able professional, Mr Phil Walsh, being in evidence throughout. The dressing and mounting of the play was much above amateur standing, the scenery being excellent. The drama was very pleasantly relieved by admirably given vocal items by Miss Tatton, oi Palmerston North (encored) and Messrs Cook and Tarr, the latter having to respond to a double encore for his comic songs. Miss Jeuks and Mrs Tarr played the accompaniments, while the incidental music was splendidly played by Mrs Tarr (piano) and Miss Cook (violin).”