HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 77

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

"A Message ; Fxom Mabs.", Few plays of its kind wear- better than that happy inspiration -of Robert G-anthony s, "A- Message from Mjtrs," which is to-day as strong a stag» ,a.ttractioii-tas ev«r. Its. revival at His Majesty's Theatre on the 15th inst by the. Allan Hamilton Dramatic, Company was witnessed by a very large and s«»ply interested - audience. _. The ■ comedydrama' deserves the popularity it enjoys, for. it is a very cleverly-con*truct«d combination' of humour, satire, and pathos, gathering a distinct fascination from the fanciful element introduced' in the- advent of the supernatural visitor from the pl*net'»bout whiclr scientific and astronomic speculation has been particularly " concerned. 'Besides ' som» witty aiar logue of a. refreshing nature, the play contains a very obvious and, excellent moral lesson, *nd it .is on£, of its strong points that it should hold_the interest of an audi«nce ep closely while «,t the same time presenting ! to* vice of selfishness in a memorable and effective light. Of course, "th© mere mention 61 "A Ifiessaage from Mare" .reoaJla V«y I ! pleasint recollections, of' tK« • visits of the #*wtr«y Company in the,iepertoire of -which tb« play ia'-question had *h ,i«aportaait pl«ce. The company named set a very High standard, moreover, in work, the - prdduction -of which prov«d- a fairly severe test, in~ coriseI quence -of the capacity of '..the^ dramatic organisation by which it. wae ■ presentedlist evening. . -Mt Hamilton's company, haw-" ever, gave * distinctly creditable and successful productioa pi the play, -which wa«

throughout capably acted and excellently staged. As Horace Parker, whose dream provides Mm with such varied and exciting experiences, Mr .Robert Inman showed a. liisi trionic capacity quite equal to the general requirements of this rathex difficult Tole, sus< taining the character .consistently, and nature ally;, if making ;ifc raOier more^natter'of fact and", less marked ty whimsical;- ecoentricitj than his predecessor* in the part on ih% local stage. Mr, Q. 'E. -Bryant's messengei is distinctly " one of the strong parts of th« production, 'as it is only very necessary it should be .Mr Bryant imparted , to the Mwf* > tian all. the requisite dignity of . aeportmen^ and delivered his" lines with Vv commendable impressiveness. As the ~-Tranip, Mt S. A. Fitzgerald gave a consistent and effectivs character study free from exaggeration, ii lacking in some of those touches .that made Mr Hawtrey's presentment of the part one of Ids most memorable efforts'. ; Yery pleasing indeed was Miss Fanny 'Erris in thevrole of Minnie Temple, her conception of whiGh wast gracefully artistic and natural. The genial' and <- amusing personality of Aunt M-artha found very capable presentation at the hand« .of Miss Cooper, who -made the moat of the worthy lady's outspoken comments in the first act. Mr A. Neville was _quite aatisfacj tory as. Mr Dicey, who takes his reverses rwith" such- equanimity,- and the remaining parts" were adequately siifitained, the usual interesting medley of policemen, waifs, and - strays 'being f in -evidence. .The- staging was .excellent,- and 1 the*- usual mecha-nioal- effects necessary -to I . achieved- their -purpose -effectively. - _3>he ' play, wew received with. ' marked", apprecjifton:,.,! and will be^found t d«cidedly.'interesting-,production. '. > - '