WITHIN THE LAW COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1916, Page 5

WITHIN THE LAW COMPANY.

"THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME." By this time the plot which runs through the play of "The Man Who Stayed at Home," staged at the Theatre Royal last night, should be so generally known as to need no description. Short'ly, it is a battle of wits between enemy spies and Christopher Brent (Mr. Lionel Walsh), who enacts the title role and is assisted in his anti-spy work by Miriam Lee (Miss Hilda Dorrington). The audience is given a fair share of patriotic sentiment .as well as an insight into German spy methods. Throughout the play there is plenty of laughter provoking dialogue on the part of all the company, especially of Brent and John Preston (Mr. Geo. Chalmers), whose easily raised ire and incisive replies cause much merriment; but the chief interest of the play centres upon Brent and the masterly" wav in which Mr. Lionel Walsh presented this clever personage, whose apparent approach to a orainless fop is an admirable foil to liia real mission of thwarting the enemy spies. Every member of this talented company exhibited great cleverness in making the most of every point, Miss Hilda Dorrington coming a very good seend to Mr. Walsh. The large audience thoroughly enjoyed the play from start to finish, and there can be no doubt that it succeeded in bringing conviction to all present that there are cases in which the man who stays at home can be doing far more,important service for his country than by going to the front. The efforts of the company were certainly greatly appreciated, judging by the constant applause and ■hearty laughter.' To-night "Gct-Rich-Quick Wallingford" should attract another large attendance, for the company gives an entertainment that is exactly suited to these sober times, as it is bright and cheerful, while the acting is of exceptional merit.