"THE BETTER 'OLE."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 549, 16 July 1920, Page 2

"THE BETTER 'OLE."

Laughing jest and quaint humour | were the keynotes of the play, '"The 1 Better' Ole," staged in the Premier I Hall on Tuesday night bv a company bearing the name of the play, the characters bfinp as follows: Old Bill (Lionel Walsh), All (Hubert Lee), 'Erb (Harry Young), BorgeantMajor (Ralph Holland), The Colonel (Wilton Power), a French Officer (Arthur Bertram), a French Porter (Enest ltich), Military Postman (Harry Winters), a spy (Arthur Bertram), the Vicar (Wilton Power), Suzette (Lena Henry), Angelle (Ruby Raymond), Maggie (Dorothy Kaye), Nanine (Louise Pascoe), Victoire (June Addell). The scenes, though lacking in much of the quaint detail characteristic of life in French villages during the war, were typical as far as they went, and to that extent could be thoroughly appreciated, unfortunately Walsh was rather weak as Old Bill, which creation of Baunsfnther's imagination most people conceive as being a decidedly rough diamond, but a diamond nevertheless, possessing courage, steadfastness, lovableness, resource and strength of character shining through his rough exterior.. These qualities were lacking in Mr. Walsh's impersonation. However, the strong features of the play offset this and other weaknesses. A particularly good scene was that where the mailman arrived (well done by postman Harry Winters) and no letters come for Old Bill, Alt', or 'Erb. The gloom in their respective attitudes was very well portrayed indeed, and was not much of an exaggeration on what the writer has seen in reality on more than one occasion. The audience alternated between laughter and tears as they noted the comicality of the thing and the ".cuts" the men looked, and yet sensed the unutterable gloom and disappointment expressed. The "explosions" made some people "get the wind up," but the attempted imitation of the machine-gun and rifle fire combined was rather poor. It is a pity that, like the concert companies at the front, the "Better "Ole" people co.uld not have got up a good "whiz-bang'.' stunt—always an effective thing. Probably the best individual item was the impersonation of a Cockney girl at the pictures (in England) by Miss June Addell. This was per fee My done, starting off with a popular hit, "Ow I 'ate them old ads," and sustained, item after item, right to the finish. Miss Addell, in this turn, would "take" anywhere, and the Pukekohe audience were kept in roars of laughter at lu-r witty characterisation. The exhibition of dancing was decidedly clt-ver and was keenly appreciated. Judging by the size of the attendance, a few more plays at Pukekohe would be appreciated sufficiently to warrant the management in undertaking the expense. We wish the "Better 'Ole" Company continued success.