(By min ADE)
Fred, a walter.s.s..a. Jacke Hegarty George, head walla:.... Charles Speyer Dunwoody, an author'. Charles Abbott 'Anthony Fatr, a gentleman Verne Parker Stcob Penn, mlllonaire'.. John Haynes Anna Penn, is daughter Dallas Lee Franklin Lady Cynthia Speedwell.. Pauline Crow James. Jago Bert Moncriett One who persistently and intelllgently opposes a social attitude vention ally taken for granted is most Invariably" Interesting, If not refreshingly shocking, St, Job" Ervine hag constructed a three-act drawing-¥oom farce centred around such a character. in "Anthony and Anna," the opposing having as its object "the dignity of Jabour." Anthony, Fair ylelds: to—or rather takes a pride In "his overpowering objection to work and, by the time the curtain has tal~ ton on the last act, he has proceeded great lengths, dinlectically, Jusify. this particular form of social heresy. Incompatible characters are thrown together in the old-fashioned Inn of St Peter's Finger, In some oulof-the-way part of post-War England, The opposition to Anthony's double desire to marry Anna and to receive a handsome settlement from Wis. bride's American millionaire father, is the primary complication of the' piece. "With Anthony It Is double of nothing, and a stubborn hherenee to the no-work ideal gains double reward in the end.
The play is a wise selection for an amateur dramatic society in mast respects, as was proven by the enthusiastic response given by the audlcence at the Lyceum Theatre last night its frst presentation here by the ADE, Mr. G. F. Gmehling, the producer, "has" succeeded admirably in. 0 directing layers as to Keep the various roles well enunciated, "while moulding them into a purposeful unit. He has een much aided by the understand ing of a.cast not without natural Tent, Wille all the players deserve praise for their sincere efforts, it was Mr, Jack Hegarty's performance which justly drow the most applause The foolish blinking expression assumed and his high-water trousers fare ludicrously incapable: of support ing his dignified condescension as 0 young: walter explaining to the hend Waiter just how outmoded he is. Mr. Charles Speyer, as the sentimental ikeness of Jeeves, 1s excellent as an arbiter among the guests. AS the smug and smirking novelist, Me, Charles Abbott and his monoel2'contribute most effectively to the gather-"vali while' Mr, John Haynes, though appearing too sturdy for the part a dyspeptic old millionaire, speal his Ines' most effectively.
The entrance of Mr. Bert Monerieft and Mrs, Crow in the second act comes ike an invigorating breeze, the latter playing with the fine poise of an experienced actress, while Mr, adds much to the performance, Miss Dallas Lee Franklin, as Anna, shows promise as an actress, and what Jacks in the ability to be tempestuous she compensates for with the dless-Ing of enough nattiral charm to carry the part successfully. It is a dificult role for one with only slight experi-fence, and what che did "augurs swell for fulure roles, "The successful por-tradal of Anthony demands certain pre-requisites, particulary an unusually charming manner and a compe Ung personality. "Mr, Verne Parker's easy stage presence is to his credit, and the casting committed hardly can be blamed If there was not avallble anyone exactly right for the art, Members of the A.D.C, and other Shanghai play-going enthusiasts turn ed out, in large numbers last night, and the first night audience. was appreciative one, heartily applaud the efforts of the players. Noticed ADE. supporters were Mr. and Mrs, Charles C. King, Mr, and Mrs, A, de C, Sowerby, Dr. Cameron, Mr, and Mrs. R, W. Davis, Mr. Peter Goer, Mr, Reginald Meyer, Mr,'J. 8. Chisholm, Mr. and Mrs, J, X,'Jolly, Mr. and Mrs, A. R, Hager, Mrs, P. LeFevre, Di
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.