THE POLKS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 163, 3 November 1883, Page 14

THE POLKS.

" Wno's who ?" would bo a very valuable guide to the plaj'goer who see.:-; " The Strategist " for the first time. The author, Mr Curtis, an American, has managed with rare skill and contrivance to develop, out of vcrv slender materials, a succession of singularly intricate and complicated incidents and situations of the most ludicrous and mirth-provoking character. " The Strategist " is said to be " written and acted just for fun," and this object has certainly been achieved to perfection. " The Strategist " would move even a Stoic to laughter unto tears. It is called a farcical comedy, and is one of those extravagant pieces of the class to which "The Professor," "Engaged," and " The Weddin<- March" belong. Major Abijah Howard (Mr H. W."Emmett) has a pretty daughter, Nellie (Mrs Julia A. Pol/s), with whom Jac/c Rutledge (Mr^Polfc)isinlove, and she reciprocates his affection. But Mnjor Howard and Mr Arthur Rutledge (Mr A. W. Bootbain), Jack's father, are enemies, and the prospect of wedded happiness 100/cs gloomy for the young people. Jack therefore resolves' to gain their consent by strategy. His plan is to alternately impersonate both characters, and by working upon their pride to secure their consent. In the execution of this plan he is subjected to some rather painful experiences, Mrs Howard (Mrs Edwin Bryer) compels him to swallow an enormous bowl of senna tea ; Terence O' Flam (Mr Harry Power), a bellicose Irishman, of the No rent league, half strangles him, and the Rev. Mr Wildinan (Mr Eobert A. VernonJ wheedles £40 out of him as a subscription for the conversion of the little heathen. The other characters in the piece are Araminta, a modest domestic (Miss Lillie Bryer), Mr Capsicum Pepper, a red -headed Marplot (Mr E. C. Calvert), and Sergeant Gruinbleton, the major's orderly (Mr Richard Dalj). One ludicrous incident follows another in rapid succession, and the play ends just when it would be painful to laugh any more. In the course of the play Mrs Polk sings with charming grace and effect " The Nightingale's Trill" and " The pretty girl milking her cow." On Wednesday evening she received an enthusiastic encore and the curtain had to bo raised at the end of almost every tableau, while showers of applause greeted the performers at frequent intervals.

"Wanted Known. — T. Harris, tobacconist, lias removed to Isaacs' Buildings, tower Queen-street.