PHIL. WALSH DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 839, 14 May 1910, Page 2

PHIL. WALSH DRAMATIC COMPANY.

The Phil Walsh Dramatic Company were greeted by a large and appreciative audience at the Public Hall last night when they staged that sensational drama “Ten Nights in a Bar-room.” This play is an American version oi that great drama “Drink” and shows the great hold that this demon has on its victims and the consequent misery and suffering caused by it. The plot centres round Joe Morgan, a confirmed drunkard, who spends all his money in the bar-room, and although he is quite alive to the suffering and misery that his wife and child are subjected to on account of his conduct, he is powerless to resist the temptation of the open bar which is continually before him. Yet, he knows what a curse the drink is and takes every opportunity that presents itself of advising everyone he sees enter the bar not to touch intoxicating liquor. Thd third scene gives a view of Morgan’s home, and an idea of the suffering that his wife and child have to go through. The course of Morgan’s life is eventually changed through the death of his child, of which he was the indirect cause. After having spent all his money in the bar-room he is ordered to leave but he refuses to do so and the landlord in a fit of temper hurls a tumbler at him, which however, misses its mark, but strikes Morgan’s daughter, who has come to the hotel for her father. The girl subsequently dies through the injuries received, and this makes such an impression on the father that he swears off drink and eventually turns out a respected and prosperotts citizen. All the parts were well played by the different members of the Company, and as usual the principal character, that of Joe Morgan, was taken by Mr Phil. Walsh, who gave a most realistic interpretation of the part of the drunkard and afterwards of the well-to-do respected merchant. The scenery and staging of the play was first-rate, and so long as Mr Walsh serves up entertainments on the same high level as last night’s he can always rely on being greeted with large audiences in Foxton. In returning thanks Mr Walsh expressed the hope that the entertainment would be an object lesson to those present and that they would afterwards remember that night’s staging of “Ten Nights in a Bar-room.” To-night the company will present an entirely new and original version of Mrs Henry Wood’s great work, “Fast Fynne.”