MR ANDREW MACK.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8801, 1 May 1907, Page 2

MR ANDREW MACK.

To-Night The famous Irish comedian audi singer, of whom wo havo hoard so j much and so favourably of late, will commence his Mar ton season tonh'lit at tho Opera B'-use under, the direction of Mr J. O. Williamson, with the prodution of *' Tom Moore, a play from the pen of Mr Theodore B Sayre, an American playnghtwho has taken Moore's early years as the foundation of his piece—the time when the poet was making his name in Loudon and winning his rtiuch beloved wife, Bessie Dyke, a young Irish actress, an episode which constituted one of the few romances full of real poetry in actual human experiences. Surely it is clear that ' such a theme should make a charming play, even if those who saw it in ; Australia two years ago had not told ; us of its great fascination.

: Only two years have elapsed since ■ his last tour of Australia and the i fact of Mr Williamson ro-engaging-a ! "star" after so short au interval, fully confirms the glowing accounts we 'heard at the timo of his sensational success. The Melbourne Age, commenting unou Mr Mack's opening performance, in that city says : "A clever comedian, knowing exactly how far to go in ' creating laughter,' and a winning lover. He has a fine stage presence, a face that is typically Irish, mobilo and expressive, with a well modulated elocution and above all a most musical voice of lighttenor oualitv. The Celtic character, 1 to which the Sassenach has ever fallen a victim, comes across tho footlights in such force that no audience could resist it long. In his representations there is the playful fancy.

tho alternate heights of joy and depths of despair, the light-hearten, geniality, the unexpected turns ot thought, the jovial good fellowship, the gav and festive outlook, the optimism which refuses to be dashed by reverses for more than five minutes, the tenderness, the sympathy and tho manliness of the true Irish charater.'' Reverting to the play to be presented "Tom Moore," in which Mr Mack has won a host of friends and admirers during his recent Wellington season, the author whilst adhering to tho well known incidents in the career of Ireland's poet, tho man of wit and fancies, and of ineffably tender imaginings iu verse, has woven into a well constructed scheme

a most delightful love story such as one would imagine in so beautiful a life as that of "Tom Moore." Such a central figure of tho pictur.esque period in which ho lived and the historical circles in which he moved. The play is full of'wit, humour, romance and strong dramatic situations. Nothing could be more delightful than the note struck in tho first scene—Tom Moore amongst the school children—which has been decribed as a delicious interlude, a return to nature, the striking of ineiOr dious chords upon the keyboard of memory. To witness such scenes is to bo a child once more, and to live again one's happiest hours. Then, there is the haunting sweetness of Tom Moore's songs and that evpressivo rich toned rendering byMr Andrew Mack, who adds to his great dramatic art and irresistibly winning personality tho great gift of a beautiful voice full of warmth, , sympathy and inborn feeling. It has been said " he sings and acts from the heart." The supporting company is hignly eulogised by the Wellington press. Tho play is mounted and dressed m the gorgeous and picturesque style of the period.