THE HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 79, 1 April 1903, Page 2

THE HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

Fra box plan for the forthcoming Hawtrey Cbmedy Oompmy's three night's season at the Theatre Royal opsDS this morning at the Colonial Piano Company's warehous. "The Lady of Ojfcond," which iR the pifce is'lec'ed for the opening night, was 1 written by Sir Francis Burnand, editor l of London Punch, The play was fir -t staged at Teiry's Theatre, London, and had a long and Buccefl?fol run It is universally conceded to be one of the most laughable and diverting of modern farcical comedies. Of this play a daily contemporary says:-"It is alike in jonstruction and dialogue far in advance of many of the so-called farcical comedies which have been produced here. Io was, of course, to b9 expected that the dialogue of Sir F. Burnand would be st)art, but ia addition to thu >he situations are decidedly humourous and very cleverly const uct d. Mr Hawtrey gives an artis'ic character study in the part .of the Biron. From first to last, in acceni and gesture, the struggle of the Frenchman wi'h the English language is remarkably well pourtrayed. There has bsen nothing of the kind so good upon the Ohristchurch stagi except Mr Dion Baucicault's performance in 'The Amazons.' Miss Elaia Austin's impersonation tf Djrothy wjs cleverly playel throughout, pir:icularly in the eceDes with her faithless husband, and Miss Brontou was good as Matilda Oarbury. Miss B incrof 6 is entitled to high praise for har performance as Mrs Orockitt, 'he scenes with Mr Oarbury being playad with a keen sees 3 of the humour of the situation.