ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 310, 25 May 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"WHY MEN LOVE WOMEN." At the Theatre Royal last evening t.ie justly popular Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company staged the dramatisation of the eternal question, "Why ,Me.i Love Women?" The answer is not a diflicult one, and was furnished, in fact, in the answer given bv Ccrald Fielding to the quizzical question of Violet Livingstone: "Well, I suppose it is simply because—er—because they -can't help it." The answer is not distinguished by the virtue of its logic, but it is said that it is the best that mankind has been able to discover since the eventful .lay that Adam fell in love with Eve. The company handled the thrilling and by no mean's easy drama with rare capability and throughout the whole of the lengthy exposition, which In.sied three Hours, there was not a bit of inferior acting. Miss Frances Ross, as Violet Livingstone, gave a most finished interpretation of the woman who marries for love, and who, rather than lose the man she loves, is willing to sacrifice her fortune of £50,000 in order to meet his ungovernable prejudice against the possible insinuation that he has married a woman for her fortune. In all the trials ,lnd temptations that follow the strange marriage, through the prison bars, Miss Ross acted with that taste and power that made her representation very real to the audience. Scarcely less capable as the self-willed, jealous, but honorable English artiM, was '.Mr. Conway Wingfiehl. As Captain StanilofT, the distinguished Russian, whose morals and instincts arc those of the semi-civilised barbarian. Mr. Milliard Vox made the most of his character, earning the audience's warnvKlislike. To Mr. Ronald W. RHey. however, must he awarded, on the evening's 'performance, the palm for realistic acting, and lira impersonation of the Indian Prince, and •the guardian of Violet Livingstone, quite captivated the audience. A very dramatic representation was that of Miss Muriel Dale, as Muriel Zolusfci, the woman who. in her thirst for vengeance for the death of her brother, brings nmeh misery and trouble upon an innocent man, but eventually lias the satisfaction of slaying the true assassin, Staniloff. The humor that permeated the play was centred round the characters of Mr. and Mrs, Figgins, and the Umptidoodlums. Of his character of Orlando Figgins, a theatrical gentleman much sought after by the ladies, unaware of his benedict state, and even more keenlv sought by his overpowering wife, Mr. Fred Cambourne made tne most, keeping the audience in a continual simmer of merriment. A feature of much interest was the appearance of the two Umptidoodlum ladies in harem skirts, the costumes provoking a round of merriment and applause.

EAST LYNX K- TO-N Ki 1 IT. The company will make their farewell appearance to-night, when an up-to-date version of that sure monev-getter, 'Mrs. llenrv 'Woods' emotional "East Lynne" will lie presented. The play is one in which Miss Franees Ro<s as Ijidy Isabel lias won much admiration for her forceful and emotional acting as the ill-star-red heroine. The piece as presented by the company has met with much approval and is reported to be well dressed and mounted. Mr. Conway Wingfield will sustain the character of Archibald Carlyle, and all the members of this talented company are well fitted with excellent characterisation-.

TIIP, PRINCE AM) THE BEGGAR iLA'IO.

Mr. Fred. TTemiingham, representing Ihe William Anderson Company, arrived in New Plymouth yesterday morning to make the necessary arrangements for the company's opening on Friday, June 2, "The Prince and the Beggar Maid" being the opening production. The company includes Miss Beatrice Day and Mr. Harry Roberts, also Mr. V. Fitzherbert, a recent resident of New Plymouth.