“THE BETTER ’OLE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2145, 29 June 1920, Page 3

“THE BETTER ’OLE.”

THE ACTUAL PLAY—TO-NIGHT,

Described ns at fragment from France in a couple of explosions, several splinters, and a short gas attack, “The Better ’Oie” is announced to he staged al the Town Hall to-night. In our advertising columns the management specially draws at lent ion to (he fact that the present- attraction is the actual play, and not a picture. “The Better ’Ole” is said to be quite the best war play that lias so far reached the Australian theatres. Its success lies in the fact that none of the horror's of war is depleted. The authors have not left the original atmosphere created by Bairnsfather in his drawings. Bill, Alf and ’Erb carry the burden of the play on their shoulders, and before Hie first net is over they tire established firm favourites. The first act shows the trio iu billets behind the linos (somewhere in France). There are the French maids. J Erb makes love to them, wlmt time Bill, in his best French, explains to them as follows— I “Maddermosseillie nmn amy hi est nn —damn fool.” Act two is laid in the trenches. Act three at Bologne, and Act four on leave in England. The musical numbers incidental to the play are the work of the well known composers, Herman Darewski and Pereival Knight. “Site’s a Venus de Milo to Me,” “Carrying On,” and “This ’ere Blinking War 11 are the popular song numbers from the score. Mr Lionel Walsh plays the pari of Old Bill, and Miss June Added is the leading lady, with a full supporting east of characters. The piece will be staged and mounted on the same complete and elaborate scale as characterised its production at the Opera House, Melbourne. The box plan is at Heath's,