"THE FLAG LIEUTENANT."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9693, 18 January 1910, Page 5

"THE FLAG LIEUTENANT."

AN ENJOYABLE PRODUCTION

There was a large attendance at the Town Hall, last evening, to wit- I ness the production by Mr J. C. Wil-) liamsun's Dramatic Company of Messrs Drury and Trevor's naval eomedy, "The Flag Lieutenant.' It had bean previously announced that "The Cheat" would be staged, but owing to a misunderstanding the properties for the production of the piece wera forwarded to Wanganui instead of Masterton. The mistake, however, enabled the audience to witness "The Flag Lieutenant," which has proved such a success where it has been produced. The piece, while it abounds with humour, contains a great deal of genuine dramatic work. Its construction, crisp dialogue and nicey planned situations command respect and admiration in the same degree as its novel setting is consistent in its visual charm The story is interesting. Richard Lascelles, flag lieutenant on H.M.S. Royal Edward, stationed for the time at Malta, has come into money, and rather disappoints his!friends by his apparent lack ol ambition, some even regarding him as a good deal of a clown. His best friend, Major "Bill" Thesiger, brave and ambitious, has never had a chance, and is down on his luck after twentythree years' service—"not even a jubilee medal." cut suddenly there comes an order from the Admiralty. There is hot work to do in Crete. Thesiger gets his chance, and Lasceles, who is really a different fellow to what his friends believe, obtains permission to go too. The little company .finds itself in a tight corner at Kandia, defending a dismantled fort, Death stares them all in the face unless help is sent for. But between the fort and the nearest telegraph station, half a mile way, are a thousand of the enemy. Bashi-Bazouks. A friendly Basbi Bazouk comes to the fort with a message, but, having been shot en route, he dies with the message unspoken. Thesiger conceives the idea of disguising himself in the dead man's apparel, and thus reaching the telegraph station. As he sets out he is shot in the head, the main result of the injury being permanent loss of memory. Lascelles, who alone knows of the scheme, then dons the Bajhi-Bazouk's clothes and successfully carries out the plan conceived by Thesiger. As Lascelle has money and Thesiger is poor, with all his future depending on his reputation, Lascelles, with the connivance of Dr. Crutchley, reports that Thesiger took the message to the telegraph. Lascelles explains his own temporary absence from the fort by saying he. was asleep in an embrasure. Theseiger is promoted, and in the Birthday honours gets his C.M.G. Meantime Lascelles not only continues to disappoint his friends, but they become alarmed by stories of cowardice and a pending courtmartial. Loyalty to his friend ties Lascelles' tongue. Thesiger's memory is gone, and it is not until the telegraph officer arrives on the scene and recognises Lascelles' voice as that which spoke the message for help that those immediately coni cerned become acquainted with the true position. Even then Lascelles will not speak, and Thesiger continues to be the hero .in the eyes of the public, But there is no courtmartial Mr Thomas Kingston was at his very best as Flag Lieut. Lascelles, capitally suggesting in appearance and manner the flippant young naval officer to whom red tape has no existence, and yet who is capable of doing things. He puts a splendid touch of human nature into the difficult scenes j with his friend "Bill." Still more difficult scenes with his friends and sweetheart. Mr Cyril Mackay has a part that entirely suits him as Major Thesiger, which he carries out in | such a way as to make the characterisation conspicuous among many. Another faultless performance was that of Mr G. S. Titheradge as Hear-Admiral, the Hon. Sir Berkeley Wynne. Dignified and impassive he struck a note that carrisd conviction from the beginning, his fine acting being enhanced by his impressive tone of voice. Miss Ethel Warwkk invests the wealthy Mrs Cameron, in love with Thesiger, with true womanly feeling, and a nice touch of the society hostess Miss Nellie Calvin was a natural and acceptable Lady Hermi ■ one Wynne, enacting well her part into which she put rea; feeling. A couple of midshipman were splendidly represented by Messrs R. Carey and L. Waller, jnr;. The other sketches given by Miss Emma Temple as the General's wife, Miss Havery as Viola Hood, Mr Greenaway as Dr. Crutchley, Mr Gregan McMahon as the telegraphist, should not be overlooked.