MISS TITTLE BRUNE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3093, 16 January 1909, Page 5

MISS TITTLE BRUNE.

"DIANA OP DOtsSON'S." There was a very large audience at the Town Hall last night, .in spite of the rain, to witness the produciticn of "Diana of Dobson's" by Mr J. C. Williamsn's organisation, headed by Miss Tittel 1 Brune. 'ihe audience was, in addition, most appreciative, and the cleverly written comedy was very frequently applauded. The play opens in a dormitory of a draper's establishment, where six tired young girl assistants are retiring. "Diana," one of the girls, is complaining of her fate, when word is brought to her of a small legacy she inherits. She decides to live a glorious lite of pleasure with the money, and for one month poses as a rich widow at a fashionable Continental holiday resort, and spends all her money at the rate of £3,600 a year. She meets an ex-captain of the guards, who is leading an aimless existence on an income of £6OO a year. They become attached to one another, but when Diana's money is exhausted she has to confess her real character.- The lovers part, and Diana returns to London only to. join the ranks of the unemployed on the Thames embankment. The captain also decides to live without his income, and in London discovers that he is really not capable of doing so. Down on his luck, he again meets Diana, and after mutual explanations they deciie to sink or swim together, arid the play ends with a dawn of hope and happiness. The acting of Miss Brune as Diana redeemed the piece from being at least commonplace. There are many parts where the business is almost dialogue, :ind it was here where both Miss Brune and Mr Kingston (as Captain Bretherton) • showed their sterling histrionic qualities. Both met with splendid receptions, as did Mrs Brough as the matronly aunt ot Captain Bretherton. Miss Emma Temple, as the harsh forewoman, and Mr Gregan MacMahon, as Sir james Grimlcy (a titled merchant who amassed wealth by means of sweating his employees), both filled their parts very capably, the minor char--1 acters being also well sustained. The excellent scenery was a feature of the performance. The music by the orchestra was also well up to the standard of Mr Williamson's company's.