ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1915, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"BUNTV PULLS THE STBINGS." Had Mr. Graham Moffat and 'his charmingly clever company not included New Plymouth in their tour, local playgoers would have suffered the loss of one of the most delightful evening's entertainment that has yet been offered to them. quaint dry humor running through the whole of the Scottish comedy, "Runty Pulls the Strings," kept the house in a constant state of move or less uproarious laughter. What made the quips more pungent was the great contrast they presented to the central diaracter, Tammas Bigga-r, an elder of the kirk who proves to have a past that is resurrected during the unweaving of the story. It is no exaggeration to say that a more masterly presentation has never been given in New Plymouth than that portrayed by Mr. Graham Moffat as the elder. It was so true to life that no one could miss even its finest points, and whether as the stern father threatening to thrash his son, the unmasked deceiver of years ago, or the unwilling victim of matrimonial designs, he was always a perfect artist, so natural withal that he scored a magnificent success throughout the piece and proved himself an artist of the highest rank. No greater contrast could be presented than that of Mrs. Moffat, who as Eelen Dunlop, the bride who was left waiting at the kirk ,by Tammas in years gone bye, gave a most finished delineation of a shrewd, .sensible, practical woman, equal to facing any emergency, with a pleasant smile and a repartee that sparkled with humor and yet stung with its rapier-like cuts. It was one of the treats that are all too rare on the stage when laughter is, created naturally, without effort, and in a way that the purest minded could heartily enjoy. That is the charm of this tallented company, the spontaneity of the humor and its vholesomeness. Runty, of course, is the life and soul of the comedy., The way in which she pulls the springs affords endless merriment to the audience. Her brigiht, busineslike way of managing everything and everybody has not a flaw in its execution, and Miss Jean Clyde fits the part like a specially fine lead glove. She is at her best in the last act, but during the scene in the kirkyard she was Irresistible in her special line. Those who saw Runty last night would be only too glad to have the same treat every evening in the week, and it would do them good, for there is no tonic so effective as a hearty succession of laugh's. As Weelum, the budding kirk official and lover of Bunty, Mr Davstl Urquhart made the most of a by no means easy part, and the more lie was in evidence the more he grew in favor with the audience. Special prsiise must be given to Miss Taylor for her spirited personification of Susie Simpson, whose designs of matrimony with Tammas are frustrated by Eelen. Mr. AWe Barker as the rebellious son of Tammas greatly assisted towards the success of the piece, as did Miss Winifred Moffat, who undertook tie pairt of Teenie Dunlop and proved that she posseses considerable ability as well as a keen sense of humor. All the other parts were competently filled, while the scenery and dresses were faithfully reproduced. It is a long time since such a treat was given to a New Plymouth audience.

To-night there should be a full house, for ''A Scrape o' the Pen" is even more attractive than Bunty. Those who are unable to be present at this final performance of the Moffat Company will ,miss one of the most enjoyable evenings it is possible to wish for.