"MR HOPKINSON."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8558, 17 October 1907, Page 5

"MR HOPKINSON."

r The final appearance of the Wil-loughby-Ward Company in Masterton attracted a very large audience to the Town Hall, last evening, when the farcical comedy, "Mr Hopkinson," was staged. The author has given this comedy an excellent plot, which abounds in unusual breeziness and humour, and which keeps the audience highly amused throughout. Miss Grace Palotta, as the Duchess of Braceborough, has a part which suits her admirably. As a tutor to the insufferable person whom she desires should be her niece's husband she plays up to the comedy part of Hopkinson with charming skill. Mr Hugh Ward quite excels himself as "Mr Hopkinson." He does not relapse into Englishonce and his grotesque manner is highly hilarious. As the Earl of Addleton, Mr Geo. Willoughby is seen in a role that suits him quite as well as the more boisterous parts in which he is most often seen. Mr Warburton-Gamble, as the faithful friend of the duchess (Hon. OttoDursingham) gives a nice sketch of an impecunious aristocrat. Miss Olive Wilton plays the part of Lady Thyra with fine effect, and her "love" scene with the intolerable "Hoppy" is one of the best things in the farce. Mr Edward Bonfield as Lord Gawthorpc makes a breezy aristocrat of the less objectionable kind. Miss Gillian Scaife, the erstwhile fiancee of Mr Hopkinson, is particularly well cast. The dressing of the piece was excellent, all the : cts being staged charmingly.