AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 225, 17 January 1911, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

A MESSAGE FROM MARS. The Plimmer-Denniston Dramatic Company last night put on in the Theatre Royal "A Message from .Mars," a sermon that has been effectively preached for a number of years, and the lessons of which are still worth learning. There was a good audience, and the capable exposition of an exceptionally good play obviously charmed all who were fortunate enough to be present. The story is well known—it is precisely the story told in Dickens' Christmas Carol, brought up to date with Horace Parker as •iScrooge"—the story of an utterly selfish man weaned from his selfishness by the phantom teachers- of a dream. The Horace Parker of tlw play in this case was Mr. Harry Plimmer, who, except for an occasional disposition to gabble some of the finest speeches, conveyed effectively the intention of the playwright: ■Mr. Reynolds llenniston appeared as the .Messenger, whose mission' was to scare the sellish man from himself, and he was sufficiently dignified and appropriately dynamic. Miss Lizette Parkes, as the betrothed of Horace Parker, as always, was sweet, piquant and appealing. Mr. S. A. Fitzgerald is the famous tramp who becomes the partner of the beggared Horace, and although he follows witih some faithfulness the method of Mr. Hawtrey, he is certainly the most effective player in the cast. His work is wholly good. Mr. Charles Throsby is an excellent Cockney policeman, and Miss Alyce Deonvyn, always reliable, is given the part of Aunt Martha. The Arthur Dicey ol Mr, W. R. Hunter is unintentionally pompous. The crowd of costers and their " 'Arriets" is well arranged, and the mechanical effects, especially that which deprives the gilded Horace of his rich clothes, are of interest.

' " LOVERS' LANE." To-night this popular company will revive, by special request, Clyde Fitch's charming comedy-drama, "Lovers' Lane." The instantaneous success this rustic comedy made in its first production in New Plymouth will be long remembered by the large audience who had the good fortune to witness it. To quote our own words in our criticism of the piece: "Unquestionably the Plimmer-Dniniston Company is the most capable organisation that has trodden the local boards for years."