'A BIT O' BLARNEY

New Zealand Tablet, 28 August 1913, Page 35

'A BIT O' BLARNEY

The Irish drama, 'A BitV Blarney,'' was produced for the second time in His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, on Thursday night in the presence of a very appreciative audience. The piece is typically Irish, with some tragedy and a good deal of comedy. It had been carefully rehearsed under the capable direction of Mr. T. J. Anthony, and this in no small measure, no doubt, accounted for the finished manner in which it was presented, the swing with which it went from start to finish, and the confident and capable manner in which the performers acted their respective parts. The part of Rody the Rover, the hero of the play, was admirably filled by Mr. T. J. Anthony, whose:delineation of the character was life-like and natural. Incidental to the part were several items' of vocal music, in the rendering of which Mr. Anthony acquitted himself very creditably. Rosaleen O'Connor, the heroine, found a faithful impersonator in Miss Ethel Young, who spoke and acted the part to perfection. Miss Lillian King, as became the character, was a dignified Lady Patrice. Cuddeen Cassidy (' a creature of circumstances,')' found a conscientious impersonator in Mr. R. B.' Reynolds, whilst Mr. G. G. Denniston was equally successful as Squire Rossmore (the usurper). The part of the Californian lawyer, Lawton, was capably filled by Mr. W. W. Crawford. The minor characters—Teddy Burke, Captain Castleton, and Corkery— satisfactorily impersonated by Messrs. J. W. Elliott, C. V. Hill, and J... Budge respectively. The humor of the piece was entrusted to Miss A.Heley (Shevaun ; Jack), a lady who engaged in the unlawful but-exciting pastime of selling whiskey which had never been '. contaminated .by -the .presence of an exciseman at its manufacture , and to Mr. P. Carolin (Darby Darney), 'an antiquated relic of lost boyhood.' A .better selection could not have been made, as they acted and spoke their parts in the most natural manner, arid avoided that objectionable exaggeration to which, too often, amateurs and even professionals are prone. On the whole, the. piece was presented in a manner which reflected credit on ail. The staging and'Costumes were very appropriate, and a word of praise; is due to Mr. .J. Power, the scenic artist, for his excellent work. Very acceptable music was supplied by an orchestra under the.capable conductorship of Signer Squarise.