ENTERTAINMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1808, 2 April 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

DADDY LONG LEGS

This big J, C. Williamson sue-, ress, "Daddy Long Legs,” is to be presented at the Town Hall on Friday night. There are few of ns who have not read: Jean Webster’s charjhing ,hook, and w,e are,.therefore, looking forward lo seeing the production of the play written from the book by its author. To read a book' does not necessarily mean to. have a complete knowledge of the play, but it certainly creates an undue desire to see it worked out upon the stage the ideas which are already in one’s mind from a perusal of the book'. To playgoers who have not already read the book, or seen the play, the story of Daddy Long Legs will be of interest, no doubt. A millionaire, Jervis Pendleton by name, is one of the trustees of the John Crier home for orphans; he becomes interested in one of the inmates, a young girl known as Judy, and is determined to give her a college education so that she may have a chance in the world, but he stipulates that she is not to know who her benefactor is, and she is to report once a month to hini by letters, as to her progress at college. She is not to expect a reply to any of her letters to him, his desire being to remain entirely in the background. Judy in her childish gratitude christens him “Daddy Long Legs,” for till she has seen of him was his shadow thrown upon the Wiill as he is leaving the orphanage. Judy is now fast becoming famous as an author. She oftens sees Jervis Pendleton, hut does not dream that 'he is “Daddy Long t .Legs.” A deep attachment springs up between them, and'Jervis .asks Judy to become'his wife, she refuses, saying- that there is someone else she loves more limn him. Jervis thinks that she is in love with a young man named Mcßride, hut his generous nature asserts itself, and therefore he writes to Judy in his assumed name of “Daddy Long Legs," and tells her that he understands she is in love with Mcßride and releases her from all her promises, also best owing upon her asubstantial annuity for life. An answer comes back telling dear “Daddy Long Legs" that she does not love Mcßride, but one by the name ot Jervis Pendleton, whom she loves even belter than “Daddy Long Legs.” Judy comes to the home of “Daddy Long Legs" to see him, as he has been ill, and, of course, iinds. out t hat her dear “Daddy Long Legs” is none other than the man she loves. The play is in four acts. The box plan is at Mrs Teviotdale’s.