AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 166, 22 October 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"TIIE PAS SI Nil OF THE THIRD FLOOR BAiOK." After witnessing the presentation of this play by the Plimmer-Denniston Co. at tin; Theatre Royal last night, it/can readily be understood that it had a run with New York theatre-goers of several months, and while on the boards in England enjoyed the patronage of many thousands for 500 nights. The author, Jerome K. Jerome —so well known to book-lovers, it may be mentioned—has struck a note of sympathy which goes home to the hearts of the people. The better side of human nature must, and does, appeal to all,' if the truth were known. It is on the basis of that theme that the players concentrate their powers, and with sueh a strong combination as that which appeared in the New Plymouth production, the continued success of "'The Passing of the Third Floor Back" goes without saying. There is 110 plot in the ordinary sense of the term, but a gradual rising from the sordid, avaricious, back-biting side of life to a representation of everything that is good and pure and uplifting and i the best (and therefore the happiest) in this work-a-day world. The scene is laid in a boarding-house; in a house, too, patronised by people not very particular in their methods of obtaining a livelihood. Nor is the landlady above reproach —far from it; she ia repaid for such acts as watering the milk and providing curry (which, says the slavey, Miss Lizette Parkes, like charity covers a multitude of sins) by petty thefts of eatables and candles and other movable articles on the part of the boarders. This is the state of affairs when a passerby, in the person of Mr. Harry Plimmer, "happens along, and so the prologue to the play ends. In the play all this is changed in a marvellous way by the same gentleman who has been accommodated with a room on the third floor back, lie it is who convinces the cheat, the painted lady, the shrew, the snob, the bully, the hussy, the satyr, the coward, the cad and the rogue of their wrongdoing, and the epilogue is a presentation of reformed characters with high ideals—the best in art, commerce and morals, and particularly noticeable in the social side of the picture. The passing from the scene of the influence for good leaving this little part of the world belter than he found it brings the fall of the curtain, and the audience liles out pondering deeply on the depravity of human nature in general and ilicir own shortcomings in particular. A play that does this gives the knock-out blow to all antagonists of the theatre. I'oniing to the performance last night and the individual expositions of histrionic worth, too great praise cannot be given to Mr. Harry Plimmer for his acting in the name part. His was a noble* character and the best that can be said of it was that it was nobly sustained. Miss. Lizette Parkes as "Stasia," thp slavey, had plenty of opportunities; of which she availed herself liberally in the lighter side of her part as well as when called upon to display her powers in the more emotional scenes. Miss Parkes installed herself as a favorito with the audience on tht* rise of the curtain. In the landlady, Mrs. Robert Hrough had perhaps the heaviest part of the work, butj sis usual gave a powerful rendering of the character. Mr. Reynolds Dennislon and Miss Alice Dcrrwyn (Major and Mrs. Tompkins, the snob and the shrew) were capital in their respective parts, while it is only necessary to state that such clever performers as Mr. 8. A. Fitzgerald, Mr. Paget Hunter, Mr. Charles Throsly, Mr. ITarry Neville, Miss Myra Wall. Miss Valentine Sydney and Miss Marie he Croisette filled the remaining characters to show the strength of the company. We feel sure that, on the reputation established during the short season of two nights here, an even heartier welcome will be accorded the. Plimmer-Denniston Co. should they again appear on the boards in New Plymouth. The splendid recognition of merit by the large audience which witnessed "both plays staged confirms us in this opinion.