"THE MAGISTRATE."

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 505, 26 October 1899, Page 2

"THE MAGISTRATE."

In Pinero's list of charming comedies, precedence is always given to " Sweet Lavender,' but we must confess that—to use the playwright's own racy language—it gets borne from " The Magistrate," by a very short head. In Waikato, as in every other part of the world, the name of Pinero has now become a household word, thanks to the exertions of the Hamilton Comedy Company. Never before did this talented little amateur company appear to such advantage as last evening, when this delightful farcical comedy was produced for the first time in the district. The parts were happily allotted as follows: Mr Posket and Mr Bullamy (Magistrates of the Mulberry-street Police Court), Messrs Greville Smith and W. Dey ; Wyke (servant at Mr Posket's), Mr C. Speight ; Colonel Lnkyn (from Bengal, retired), Dr. A. Seymour Brewis ; Captain Horace Vale (Shropshire Fusiliers), Mr M. H. Quick ; Cis. Farringdon (Mrs Posket's son, by her first marriage), Mr A. E. Maiming ; Achille Blond (proprietor of the Hotel des Princes), Mr P. E. Stevens; Isidore (a waiter), Mr T. Kirk, junr. ; Inspector Messiter, Mr J. McCrea ; Constable Harris, Mr Penlington ; Sergeant Lugg, Mr T. F. Jolly ; Mr Wormington (chief clerk at Mulberrystreet), Dr. Hugh Douglas; Agatha Posket (late Farringdon, nee Verriuder), Mrs Brewis ; Charlotte Verrinder (her sister), Miss A. Holloway ; Beatie Tomlinson (music teacher), Miss M. Rees ; Popham (servant), Miss Gillespie. The weather was just about as bad as it could possibly be, rain falling in torrents right up to the time for raising the curtain, but notwithstanding this the house was packed to the doors by a goodhumoured aud keenly appreciative crowd, who were most liberal in their applause, which, by the way, was well merited. Owing to the unusual pressure on our space on acc< unt of the show report, we are unable to enter into retails of the plot of the play, bus on Saturday morn ing, when things in general have somewhat settled down to their normal condition, we hope to give an extended notice. Some splendid acting was shown by Mr S. E. Greville Smith, who undertook the title role, and it is extremely doubtful whether the part could have been taken much better by any of the professional actors who visit the colony, and the audience did not fail to express their approbation. Next in order of merit comes Mr Manning, who played " Cis," the youth of 14, who surprises everyone by his precocity. As the comedy proceeds, however, the reason of this is gradually unfolded. The way in whieh he inveigled his step-father into accompanying him on his youthful gambols at the Hotel des Princes was delightful, and no one could fail to grasp the depth of humour in the situation, On thcs«e two characters the success of the whoie play hangs, right worthily were they pourtrayed. The part of Mra Posketc was taken in an admirable manner by Mrs Brewis, who displayed a considerable amount of hostrionic ability, whilst the minor characters '• Charlotte," Miss A. Holloway, " Beatie," Miss Rees, and " Popham " were well sustained. Dr. Brewis deserves special mention for his pourtrayed of the part of " Colonel Lukyn," while Messrs W. Dey, M. H. Quick, Chas, Speight, P. E. Stevens, T. Kirk, junr., J. McCreu, T. F. Jolly and Penlington in their acting left little to be desired. The Hamilton Harmonic Society supplied excellent music, and the whole show went with that swing and go which is characteristic of the piece. This evening " The Magistrate " will be repeated in the Volunteer Hall, when a bumper house can be confidently relied upon. The prices are 3s, 2s and Is, and on this occasion no seats will be reserved.