AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 258, 24 October 1908, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

; "l'A.OiiNi; THE MUSIC." Almost every seat in the Theatre was , taken last night to witness the produc-1 tion by Kew Plymouth amateurs of tha | farcical comedy •'Facing the Music." / The piece abounds in ludicrous situations. John Smith returns iu the morning, having been kept out by the fog. lie lias an adventure hi which he saves an unknown lady from thieves, but loses his pocket-book containing £2OO. This j s received from Miss Ifotlicringay by Mabel, the wife of the Rev. John Smith, who dwells on • the uppermost story, and who lias mb- | taken it for her own ami made herself quite at hoinc in John Smith's Hat. Mabel is also accepted as Mrs. Smith

by Mrs. Pouting, the housekeeper, and Dick Desmond, John Smith's guest. Desmond soon discovers his mistake, however, ami, with Smith, arrives at the conclusion that she i s the lady whom Smith saved in the fog, this belief being strengthened l>v her possessing tile lost pocket-book. Kora, Smith's real wile, arrives; home, and he is at his

| wits' 'end as to lmw he shall keep her in the dark, but in some amusing scenes which follow lie succeeds in "wriggJTng out of some awkward .facts. The Kev. John Smith eall s once or twice to return a letter, but does not see his wife. At this point Duflill, a detective, informs Smith that he is the victim of a gang of criminals, and everyone in turn is taken for the criminals, and Colonel Duncan Smith is involved in a passion* "h' duel with thi> Mrs. Smiths. Finally Smith is reduced to the last stage | of desperation, and the mistake is ox* plained and all ends well. The piece

iwas well stayed, ; : ml went oil' without the slightest hitch, all (.In; characters lieing well sustained. John Smith Mr. Kasther's portrayal wa s splendid, and liis acting in the iiiml stage <>f desperation drew l'oilli "ivat applause. The other principal pari,--, that of tli'j two Airs. Smitlis, were also well por-I Irayed by .Mesdami's Watson and Weston. '1 lie other eharaeters were taken as follows: i{ ( . Vi Join) Smilh, enrale ol St. Andrew's, Mr. Leslie Ilill; Did; Desmond, guest of Jolin Smith, Mr, U. 0. Sumner; Colonel Duncan Smith, John Smith's undo. .Mr. T. li. Southall; Sergt, Duflell, attached to Vine Street Police Station, Mr. \V. (I. I'. AViggs; Miss I'othcringay, of ||jj nll Theatre, jnss Dora liedlord: Alls, punting, housekeeper, Mrs. Iniacke. The Wliitelcv Orchestra, under .Mr. ('. ||. Lawn, rendered a well-selected programme (hat was much appreciated.