“ FUN ON THE BRISTOL.”

Temuka Leader, Issue 1562, 31 March 1887, Page 3

“ FUN ON THE BRISTOL.”

This highly absurd and extremely •musing piece was played last Tuesday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, by Mr J. L.'Hall and his clover company, to a very fair bouse. The piece is a most extraordinary production. It cannot be called either a comedy, a drama, or a farce, and yet it contains a kind of plot, and its situations aie highly amusing. It is very elastic, and admits of the introductios of a great deal of variety business. The first act is laid in the* house of the rich, quick-tempered, but genial, widow, o‘Brien (Mr JohnOollins) in Now Fork. Mrs O’Brien bad been several times happily married, the happiness arising from the fact that her husbands died and left her their wealth. She has two daughters by two husbands -Dora McAlister (Miss Bel If Berman) and Nora O’Brien (Mias Liura Roberta)—and both young ladies have sweethearts of course, one Richard Sparks (Mr T. Berman) who is forbidden the house, and comes ip through the window, and another Tommy Crsnbury (Mr H. Smith) who is acceptable to both mother and daughter, but is too bashful to propose, although begets broad hints, and Captain Granbury (Mr 0. Lynch), his father proposes for him. Another character who fills a large space in the ')iece is John Waffles (J. L. Hall), an English adventurer, who is disguised ss a

German Count, and corn s to the house

as a music teacher to the young ladies. He has beeo married three times, his three wives are still alive, sod yet he makes desperate efforts to secure the affectisn of one 'of the daughters, bet failing in this be turos bis attention to

the mother, who yields at once, but begs of him as he hae her in bis arms, to give her time to gat " her second wind.’’ These, together with a black servant and her lover make up the dramatii ptrtoruz at the widow's house, and for about an hour they.mske the fin go fast and furious. The scene is then changed

to the cabin of the Brisio 1 , one of those palatial American teamera. Mrs O’R-ien's daughter Dora has decided to elope with her lover, and is accompanied by her lister on board the Bristol. The mother, accompanied by the Count, Captain Cranbury and his son,

follow them on board, and while searching for them anchor is weighed and they are all taken to sea. The two daughters, finding the mother aboard, disguise themselves ae well (hat that their sweethearts do not know them, and then commences the fan. Mrs O’Brien gets violently seasick, and has to pay dearly for “ lemonade with something you know in it’ 1 to the steward. Then is introduced, the variety business, including singing, dancing, and a very clever contoriion act. The fun goes on until in the end everything comes out right, and Mr John Wsfiles is arrested for bigamy. As John Waffles Mr J. L. Hall played excellently. His assumption of the foreign accent was capital, and in his love scenes with the widow be was

immense. The part, however, did not give him sufficient scope to display his histrionic talent, but on board tbo Bristol bo recited a piece entitled “The Tramp” with great effect, in which be exhibited great elocutionary powers, as well as dramatic ability. He also sang some songs so well-that he had to respond to an encore* He was at once recognised on making his appearance on the stage, and met with a most flittering reception. The widow O’Brien was »n immense suecess as played by Mr John Collins. The brogue, the voice, and the make up were first-class, and the enunciation was clear and distinct; In the first stene, where the widow tells her daughters her early love triumphs and she became aware of the intentions, of the Count nothing could be more amusing. Mias Bella Forman, as Dora McAlister, and Miss Laura Roberta, as Nora O’Brien, acquitted themselves to the entire satisfaction of the audience in the representation they gave of the widow's daughters, as well as in their, singing and dancing. Both were recalled more than once. Mr Qua juynch, as Captain Oranbury ; Mr Smith, aa Tommy Oranbury; Mr T. Perman, as Richard Sparks, represented their parts excellently, and Willie Perman, as steward of the Bristol, deserves praise for the way he filled that part. The variety business was very good, the dancing being capital. On the whole, it was the best entertainment we have witnessed in Temuka, although it was given under a disadvantage. Before the curtain rose Mr Hall explained that the sesnery they had with them could not be fitted on the stage, and consequently they had to do as well as they could with the scenic property of the hall. He also announced at the close of the entertainment that the Company would soen again return to Temuka, and the applause with which this information was received showed that there is a hearty welcome in store for them when they come.. Mr Charles Waud acted as musical director, and played splendidly. The Company left by the first train for Timaru yesterday, and appeared there in the Theatre Royal last night.