“THE LITTLE STRANGER."

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8713, 12 January 1907, Page 2

“THE LITTLE STRANGER."

Full particulars are advertised else* wbere as to Meynell; Gunn and Varna’* new English. Comedy Company,-who/ under the direction of Allan Hamilton/ will appear at Marton Opera Heuse/ for positively one next, January 14. lu® worjt « simply what it pretends to be— a pure farce, manufactured for “ laughing ■purposes only.” Unlike most farces of recent years, “ The Little Stranger does not dep d upon the usual plot iu which tl vestive husband and the “ muclJ --d wife play ® on * spicuous parts. Happily, both these personages are absent from the coming attraction. The plot is entirely novel, possessing the great charm of origin* ality. In reviewing the first per* formanco in Wellington, where a record season was encountered, a con-

temporary wrote “ Nearly every* body enjoys a good laugh. It is not every playwright who can be relied upon to give it. But yon can in this case. Michael Morton, who is responsible for “The Little Stranger, has an uncommonly droll turn of mind. His imagination has given him ft peculiarly humorous theme, and ho has made the most of it. Shortly, d consists in having a man-midget substituted for a three-year-old infant. Whereas the real child cannot even speak, its impersonator is an old hand at that, and many other accomphshi ments of an ordinary full-grown man, I The bogus baby scares the real I fant’s mother, and nurse, and grandfather, and grandmother, and all ti^ eir friends into hysterics when he takes charge of the household. Mixed up with the general fun of it all there is a deal of burlesque spiritualistic experimenting, in which “The Little Stranger " plays a prominent part. A lot of the dialogue was drowned in the laughter evoked by the resultant situations last night. It did not matter, though, for the whole audience had their risible faculties taxed to the bursting point, and they did enjoy themselves. And so will future audiences.” Marten play goers will be introduced to Master M ilhe Parte, a youthful “ star ” of eight summers, who has been specially imported from the Criterion theatre, London, to assume the title role on the present tour. The box plan is now open at Mogridge’s, and popular prices will be charged.