TO HELP THE BELGIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 269, 23 April 1915, Page 5

TO HELP THE BELGIANS.

"Till: MUMMY AXi) Till! HUMMING BIRD." M.iay ir.eie.heiv. of the theatrical prolorsntn are at the front, bearing their full share of the brunt of the war, and that they ca:i and are also willing to assist by every means in their powcl 1o raise funds, to relieve the resultant distress has been pro\ed in New Plymouih and in other parts of the Dominion. Xeur before lias this been so striking]v exemplified as in the case; of the Winter Hall—Harry Plimmer combination, who are touring the Dominion in the inteiests of thai, distressed and, devastated nation, the Belgian?. , It is safe to say that the principals of the company familiar to New Plymouth wire never seen in better form,'and in this they were ably supported by all the characterisations. The audience sacrificed nothing, for tlicy were given an excellent three hours' entertainment. '•Mummy and the Humming Bird" is a play strong with human passion. The plot hinges on a very scientific lord, who has married a young and beautiful girl, to whom he is devoted. But 'he is more devoted to' bis work, and, though he lavishes on her every material luxury, yet he neglects to give her any of his tini" and that comradeship that she so much desires. He even fails to remombbr her birthday. The villain of the, piece is "The Humming Bird," an Italian literary fop, whose winning ways with women find fruitful soil, and she finds herself compromised, despite warnings from a faithful friend, whither husband likewise neglects the : well-meant but clumsy hints given by his bosom friends. However, Nemesis, in the shape of an Italian whose home-the "Humming Bird" has ruined, follows'in his wake, and events follow fust until the denouement, which results happily for the principal characters. Miss Beatrice Day, as Ijidy Luniley, was magnificent. Her histrionic ability was evidenced in the various shades of passion that her part demanded. Mr. Winter Hall was the Lord Luinley of the piece, being very strong '.n every phase.. H. Plimiiicr filled the difficult part of .Signer d';irelli very capably. At the finish lie was cordially detested by the audience, and what more could the actor of such-a part desire? "Guiseppe" was taken by W. 11. Varna. As tin: Italian organ grinder with a vendetta against Signor d'Orelli he was superb, and, disguised as a valet he was equally at home. Other parts were well sustained.

The entre acte music consisted of popular and patriotic music on two pianos_ by Mrs. Winter Hall and lliss Hina Young, who were encored on almost every occasion. Prior to the opening they played a number of "national airs, including "Tin; Marseillaise," after which the Citizens' Band played the National Aiillifin. The band also /rendered a couple of selections outside the theatre before the performance.

Prior to commencing the play, Ming Beatrice ttiy submitted a Belgian flag to auction, first reading a poem on the (lag by a Palmerston North young lady. The fair auctioneer remarked" that every thread of the flag was worth a'thousand men, for if the Belgians had not held out so long where would we have been today? The flag realised £ls 15s, the purchasers being ,1. Scott £2 2s, W. 0. Weston £2 2n, A. (ioldwater ,£3 3s, "(0. Si. Bayly .a lis, I. A. Nolan £2 2s, M. C. Urqulmrt £2 2s, and Mrs. W„ 0. Weston .-CI Is.