"Caroline’s" Humour

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 206, 19 November 1927, Page 22 (Supplement)

" Caroline’s" Humour

Lines from Somerset Maugham Comedy

Here are some amusing lines from “Caroline,” the Somerset Maugham comedy, with which the VanbrughBoucicault Company opened its Australian tour in Melbourne: “I haven’t seen nor heard of my husband for years.” I never knew exactly why you separated from him.” “Oh. he had adenoids.” * * * “He is very young; I don’t suppose he means half he says.” “Even if he means a quarter it’s a good deal.” * * * “I was making a general observation. That’s why conversation is impossible with women—they will find a personal application in a general statement.” “The more I think of it, the more I think I’m not very well.” “When one’s feeling like what you are, ma’am, it always makes one feel better not to feel very well, ma’am.” “I think it would comfort me to see a doctor. To be able to talk about oneself without fear of interruption is cheap at half a guinea.”

“There's nothing wrong with my body—it’s my mind; I don’t know it.” “You mustn’t let that worry you: the British Empire is governed exclusively by gentlemen who suffer from the same complaint.”

“Do you know' what’s the matter with you? Middle age. Let me suggest one or two symptoms. Haven t you noticed lately how young the policemen are streets?” “You’re not going to ask me to have my tub in a futurist bathroom? Personally, I don’t see what anyone can want more than plain white tiles: its clean, sanitary, and cheerful.” “Your bathroom is just like a tube station, i really can’t see myself having a batn in it. I should be afraid all the tune that a young man was going to pop in and say ‘Tickets, please!’” Charles A. Waleen, who plays the part of Robin Oakapple (a young farmer) in the J. C. Williamson production of the Gilbert and Sullivan ope.ra “Ruddigore,” coming to Auckland on November 26, is generally recognised as one of the most versatile comedians ever seen in Australia and New Zealand. He as a chorus-boy at the London Savoy where the G. and S. operas were produced. He gradually climbed tn ladder of fame until he was one o the “stars,” and was allotted important roles. Then he s „ character parts, and has been allottea the principal ones in every one o these famous operas. He has play Dick Deadeye and Sir Joseph Port e in “Pinafore,” and has run practica > the whole gamut in characters ana plays. The Walenn family has estaolished something of a world’s for musical honours. His brotne , Gerald Walenn, is well-known as professor at both Adelaide and Sydne> Conserva tori urns. Two other brotne * and a sister have occupied professorial chairs at the Royal Academy o Music, London.

Some of the quips in “Ruddigore, the Gilbert and Sullivan opera to produced in Auckland on Novem - 26, are strangely applicable to 1 politics of to-day in New Zealand, a* elsewhere. There are many al,n * ions to the incidence of taxation, an to the methods which some peop. adopt to avoid payment. It appear that in what are termed good old days” there was a tendency to dodge the income-tax bv out false returns. And they boas of it, too.