THE HART COMEDY TROUPE.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 2, 30 October 1878, Page 3

THE HART COMEDY TROUPE.

Although as a rule the people of Pal. merston are anything but liberal patrons of entertainment—and an a consequence professionals have given the place a wide berth — still when a good Company risits the town it has rarely cause to regret the step. The reputation which Mr and Mm Hart have acquired both m the capital and the Provinces served to draw a crowded house on Monday night, and such a one as has been rarely seen in 'the Foresters' Hall. v ffappy Hours " has been written specially for Mr and Mrs Hart, and it not only gives ample scope for a display of their vocal abilities* but m the varieties of characters to be sustained! it serves to exhibit their versatility and the almost wonder. lul celerity with which the changes for the different characters sustained are r Ultfe. Although it is rather a hard matter for two persons, unaided by stage accessories and scenic effects* to thoroughly enchain the attention of an audience for a couple of hours, never allowing the interest to flag for one moment^ that such a tiling can be done, and was done, the experience of Monday night proves a faot^ Whether as. the dashing Kate lacy* the romping, skipping school girl, or the numberless impersonations, with which v Happy Hours" abound, Mrs Hart was equally successful. As the rheumatic old grandmother her make up and bye-play were inimitable, and it was almost a matter beyond belief that the aged party,, bnsttfng with ills and complaints— a perfect female counterpart of poor Joe Smalls' never-to-be-forgotten "Unhappy Man "—was identical with the handsome Httle Middy of five minutes be. fore. The great charm m Mrs Hart's impersonations, it that she so completely disguises herself as to defy recognition, she also appears so heartily to enter into and enjoy the eccentricities which she portrays, that her merriment oecomes infectious and her audience v forced to laugh both with and at her. She possesses a perfect fund ot humor • n « 5^* e » a tweet, though scarcely powerful voice, great facial play k and when necessity call* for it» can use either optic— or both at one time— with killing effect., Mr Hart though alow comedian, is one of a very high order, and some of his character- sketches were irresistibly amusing* notably the German musician, and the Cousin from Worcester.. In addition to- his. other accomplishments he is no mean instrumentalist! for during the entertain,nient he treated the audience to sobs on themandalin, gator* banjo (large aad •mall) not forgetting his inimitable performance on the clarionet. We must not forget to mention that La Petite Jjomse,. contributed materially to the success of the evening-, and received wfill-merited applause for her rendering of the pretty ballad «He'g as bright as tte Morning Star." Taken, as. a whole, the entertaiment was a most enjoyable one, and by far the best that has bee* yCT§iTeoPalfflCritatt» • \