AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 219, 24 December 1910, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

" MR. PREEDY AND THE COCNTESS." The steady demand for scats for' the production at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next of "Mr. Preedy and the Countess" gives clear indication that a cordial welcome awaits Mr. George Willougliby and his English Farcical Company. Private advices are to the effect that the close of the Sydney and Auckland seasons were marked 'by big houses and real enthusiasm. "Mr. Preedy and the Countess," though described by Mr. R. C. Carton, the author, as farcical comedy, is said to deserve a higher title. Much, that comes under that category nowadays is, frankly speaking,; just a potpourri of nonsense without a semblance of reality. In "Preedy," it :is stated that the characters are actual types, selected for their applicability to humorous environment. The piece would indeed appear to be a satirical and laughable reflex of how high and low society skilfully mixed *to obtain the maximum of fun and the minimum of vulgarity. Critics throughout the world have drawn special attention to the refined and intellectual character both of the situations and dialogue in "Mr. Preedy and the Countess." It has, moreover, been pointed out very frequently in print that Carton, in delineating the otherwise whimsical and-even droll character of Preedy, has somehow succeeded also in enduing him with a human note that is heard towards the end of the play with pleased surprise. Miss Beatrice Day, who will play the Countess of the title role, should need no recommendation to New Plymouth theatre-goers. Her work on Monday and Tuesday nights -may be looked forward to with confident pleasure. Mr. Harold Parkes will be seen as Preedy. He is said to give an inimitable impersonation of a meek and mild little individual with a sterling character at bottom. Mr. Willougbby himself will appear as Preedy's bullying partner, Bounsall, a study which has gained him hk>'h eulogies. Also in the cast will be Messrs Hugh C. Buckler, Harry Halley.;. Arthur Cornell, Harry Overton, Leopold Stach, Misses Amy Willard. Stella Pavter, Alness Keogh, and others. On Tuesday, the last night of the season; Mr. Willoughby, Miss Day and the. other jmembers of this fine company will be seen in a grand revival of "The Night of the Party."