AMUSEMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 28 March 1911, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

"SEVEN DAYS." After seeing the piny one can quite understand why it had such a lengthy run in the larger centres. It is a farcical comedy pure and simple. Its object is to amuse its audience and take them away for a brief space from the trials and tribulations of this world; and it succeeds. It is bright and clean, free from any veiled illusions, and never by any chance does it even nearly approach) the thin line that divides comedy from vulgarity. The Btory centres round a party that are forced to make the best of each other's company for a period of seven days, owing lo the residence of Mr. J. Wilson being in quarantine. The company consists of the aforesaid Mr. ,I'as. Wilson, who, by the bye, is divorced from his wife: Mr. and Mrs. Brown, the latter of whom imagines that she is a spiritualistic medium; Aunt Selina,. a rich spinster, who provides Jim Wilson with the shekels, and who thinks that the lower regions are composed of divorced people, low-necked dresses and cards; Kit McNair, who is foisted on the aunt as Jim's wife; Tom Hfrbinson, in love with Kit McNair, but rejected bj her; Bella Knowles, Jim's divorced wife, who has just happened to drop inj a burglar, Tubby McQuirke, and a policeman named Flannigan. The numerous false situations created by these various characters kept the audience in a 'high state of hilarity during the three acts, the first of which is set in the drawingroom, where the Juxtaposition commences; the second in the kitchen, where it must perforce continue, and the third on lie roof, where everything comes right. The acting was first-class throughout. The comedy was not overdone, even the. policeman not being an impossffije creation. The Theatre was well flSea, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed titanselves, the only regret being tnai this was the last occasion on which Mr. Ward was to appear in Xew Plymouth, as he has joined Mr. J. 0. Williamson, and will look after the firm's interests' in Sydney.

As "Jim Wilson," a splendid type of the genial hail-fellow-well-met man about town, Hugh Ward i* Hugh Ward, which is sufficient praise. Mr. Aubrey Brown well sustained the role of "Dallas Brown," his friend, as did Mr. Regia'ald Wykcham that of "Tom Harbison." Miss Grace Palotta (''Kit McNair") is 6et in a part that suits her, and which eh© plays quite naturally and with artistic abandon. She received quite an ovation for her rendering of "Tu Tu" and "Billy's Got an Aeroplane." Miss Maud Chetwvnds was caste as, "Annie Brown," a difficult part, but which appeared quite easy to this talented comedienne. Her songs and dances with Mr. Hugh J. Ward, "Honeymoon Glide" and "I was so Shy," were enchanting sketches. Miss Celia Gliiloni, as "Aunt Selina," a commanding type of lady, who rules the roost, was'au fait. Her fine voice was .heard to advantage in "Sing us an Italian Song." Misi Ruby Baxter filled the role of "Bella Wilson." The other parts were all well portrayed.