ARABIAN NIGHTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1085, 21 December 1911, Page 3

ARABIAN NIGHTS.

The local dramatic society staged the farcical comedy, ‘‘Arabian Nights,” iu the Coronation Hall last night. The attendance was very disappointing. This is accounted for in the fact that on Monday night the little people’s concert was held, aud the near approach of Christmas when people are more concerned with preparations for the festive season than entertainments. The time was ill-chosen for a large attendance. A small house has a very depressing effect upon professional performers at any time and this is more acute with amateurs. The piece selected finds its success, not so much iu the recital o£ the lines, as iu the judicious business aud vivacity infused into the characters. There must be no stiffness in comedy—the idea in the main is to create merriment. Mrs Boyes as ‘‘Rosa Colombier” the aeriel circus artist, a very difficult role to sustain, carried her part out to perfection. We doubt whether the character could be better impersonated, aud iu Dr. Adams as ‘‘Joshua Gillibraud,” she had a very capable counter part. The amusing situations aud catchy dialogues between these two created much amusement. This character suited Dr Adams admirably and he made the most of it. Mr Boyes as “Dobson,” gave a splendid interpretation, aud shared the honours with the above mentioned. Mr F. Whibley as “ Arthur Hammiugtop,” had a heavy’ role to sustain, aud dia it remarkably well. Mrs Clemett (“ Airs Gillibtaud”), the interfering aud suspicious mother-iu-law. did not do herself justice last night. The other characters sustained were “Ralph Urmerod ” Mr A. McCall, “Mrs Hummiugtop ’ ’ Miss Cook, “ Daisy Maitland ” Miss Ryan, and “ Barbara” Miss F. Cook.

The dressing aud make-ups, except that of the unartistic-lookiug Ralph Ormerod, were very good. The costumes ol the ladies were extremely pretty.

We hope the Amateurs will put the piece into rehearsal again aud repeat it at a later date.