ENTERTAINMENTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2646, 30 October 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

“MR, HOPKINSON.” There was' again a- crowded audience jp His Majesty’s ibeatie last night, when the production was the- farcical comedv “Sir. Hopkinson.” The piece is a scathing satire on tlie morals of English society, but is constructed with cleverness anti plenty of scope is ahordv.<j to the principal characters to mate it one of the most successful of modern humorous corn6cii6S.' jvir. \\ urd in name part gives a masterly interpretation or a lower middle-class Cockney, with miserly instincts, who succeeds to a huge fortune and endeavors to enter Society. The part is invested with great realism by Mr. Ward, and the slangy mannerisms of ‘Air Hopkinson sire most amusing. His scenes with the Duchess in the earlier part, and with a discarded sweetheart later, were very skilfully pourtrayed. h ~e character of tlie” Duchess, miss Grace Palotta gave a capital piece of comedy acting. Her frigid attitude to her husband, and her scheming to marry ner niece te the rich and vulgar parvenu, with the object of enriching herself and her friends, were depicted with great power. She was especially good in the scene with Mr. Hopkinson, where the Duchess makes the acquaintance or the unfortunate noveau riche, her future relative, the contempt she feels for him being only thinly disguised by her anxiet’-’ to secure him, and, incidentally, his monev. As the niece of the Duchess. Lady Th'yra, Miss Ruby Baxter had only a small part, but played it well, especially in the scenes with Lord Gavtliorne, one of the “set,'' with whom she eventually elopes. Miss Rose Mussrrove gave a clever character study of the role of E:iza, a maid, all the points in the part being made full use of with a force that made the impersonation a uroat success. Mr. Wernham Ryott, as Lord Gawtliorpe. tlie blase English nobleman, played his part with much quiet force. MrWykeham was the Duke of Braceborougk, and his interpretation was characterised by much completeness and effect, a result largely achieved by his clever making of the salient points of the part. Mr. Robert. Greig. as the Earl of Addieton, the irascible father of Lady Thyra, and the prospective father-in-law of Mr. Hopkinson, had only a comparatively small part, but bis clever character acting brought it into prominence, and his interpretation’ was extremely good. The role of theHon. Otho Dursingham, a friend of the Duchess, was capitally filled by Mr. Arthur Eklred. and as the lawyer, Mr. Smethurst. Mr. William Beattie scored a. success. Minor roles were ablv sustained by Messrs Clias. Phillips (the Duke’s servant) and H. H. Wallace (the valet of the Earl of Addieton). /Jo-night will see the close of a most successful season, when “A Bachelor’s Honeymoon” will be staged for the second time. PATHE PICTURE9S COMPANY. The programme to be submitted teIho public on Monday night next is described as a magnificent array of up-to-date pictorial studies, including oneof the finest kinematograph pictures ever taken, “The Boy Scouts to the Rescue.” Full particulars will be published shortly of an essay competition to be held in conjunction with this picture, the subject chosen being, “Should compulsory military training, bo established in New Zealand.” As a dramatic, picture, “The Hand of tlieVictim” is said to be without an equal, while lovers of the artistic and beautiful in Nature will be catered for with scenic pictures in natural tints. The usual permanent picture show prices will bo charged, and there are te be special reductions for local Boy Scouts, during projcctment of “Hoy Scouts t-o the Rescue.” *