THE HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 14, 17 January 1902, Page 2

THE HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

"A MESSAGE FROM MARS." Seldom is the advent of a theatrical company awaited with such keen anticipation of pleasure as is the case with the Hawtrey Comedy Company, who open a season of four eights at the Theatre Royal this evening. Such wag the appreciation shown by the Wanganui public, that in deference to a very large number of requests the management decided to extend the season for two nights, although that course necessitated canc Ping arrangements to appear at Hawera. Each night the Opera House was packed, and the enthusiasm of the audience was immense, and the frequent hearty applause testified beyond all question that they were pleased most thoroughly with the play, whioh is said to be ose of the most fascinating ever staged, and has earned for itself the title ot " The play of the century." The sub- ! jeut is handled with suck skill, quaint originality, alternations of humour and [pathos that all tendency to over- | emphasise the moralising is judiciously avoided. The stations oleverly conceived and worked out, the characters are natural and strong in interest, the dialogue i« bright and crisp—and often highly diverting, the pathos of its more sombre passages never degenerates into mere bathos. The introduction of a mythological element enhanoes its attractiveness, and the mechanical ingenuity in lending effect to the scenic setting of the pieoe also contributes to its success. Box plan is open at Mr D. McKinnon Bain's, where seats may he reserved.