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Exit The College of Electors. Or The Reardon Riske Revue.

(By Distinguished Contemporary.)

Quite the best and cleanest show of the year so far was that put on by the Recess Revue Company in the Jym. on the evening of March 25th. It is not the first time that these talented entertainers have been before the public, and they were fortunate to secure the co-operation of the famous Executive Entertainment Body in amusing the audience. Perhaps the most notable fact with these artists is their astonishing versatility. This was not so noticeable in the case of the Executive Body, who prefer to maintain the more conventional roles they portrayed last year, but the members of the Recess Committee astonished and delighted the audience with the ease with which they were able to enact parts totally different from those they handled so ably last year. Mr Reardon is a particularly interesting example of this versatility. Those who were present at this Company's performance last year will remember how Mr. Reardon thrilled hundreds of hearts with his portrayal of the inspired feminist, determined to see justice done to the women at all costs. This year he represented the simple Irish patriot, thrilled more by the alternative vote than by justice to the women, whom he occasionally forgot to address, confining his remarks exclusively to the gentlemen of the audience. We hope to see more of this versatile performer, and especially to see whether, at his next public performance, he does not portray some entirely different character. Mr Riske disappoints us. Last year he represented, most ably, the fiery demagogue, inciting the people to wrath and destruction, but in the recent entertainment, owing to the great length of the performance, he was obliged to omit the greater part of his role. When we did see him he was enacting very successfully the part of the slightly harassed schoolmaster, determined to bluff and bluster his way before a class of refractory children. Particularly amusing aws his rebuke to Master Macduff, a talented child-actor, who attempted to question the facts adduced by Mr. Riske's colleague, the Irish patriot (Mr. Reardon) on the subject of proportional representation. Master Macduff was placated by references to Professor D. M. Y. Somerville and to red herrings.

Other members of the company contribute! to the success of the performance.

Mr. C. N. Watson played the leading part in the comic sub-plot which concerned a swimming club. Mr Carl Watson seemed far from word-perfect in his part, and had to be prompted by Mr. Rollings.

Mr. Bannister took the heart-rending part of a champion of lost causes. Many of the audience were almost moved to tears when this noble-hearted idealist's favourite scheme was definitely defeated by 145 to 4 votes.

Mr. Crossley, the comic uncle of the piece, told interminable witty stories of early Executives, and indulged in amusing dialogue wth the more serious characters of the piece. We hope to hear more of this lever cross-talk artist.

Mr. Hurley provided the tensest dramatic situation of the evening, when re requested that the doors be unlocked. The request was grudgingly acceded to, but the earthquake he so evidently expected was unavoidably delayed. Mr. Hurley conducted the cross-examination of Mr. Rollings in a manner which brought many people to their feet.

Miss Helen Dunn represented a Tory lady of high degree, determined to keep the rabble in its place. Miss Dunn spoke her part very nicely, but her authors had unfortunately failed to give her many striking lines.

Miss Zena Jupp had obviously assumed new stockings, and had had her hair waved for the occasion. and in her efforts to foil the machinations of the Exec. drew inspiration from the Reform Hill of 1832.

Mr. Bishop, of the Executive Entertainment Body, another rigid Tory, appeared to think that even if Waterloo wasn't won on the playing fields of Waitaki is should have been conducted according to the votes of the Hockey Club. Mr Bishop unfortunately introduced a certain amount of humour of the chewing-gum standard into the play, which we would wish to see eliminated from a performance of this order.

Mr. Scotney, the villain of the piece, brandished a question at Mr. Rollings, and Mr. Rollings meekly answered it.

We are promised many more performances by these two talented companies, and are looking for ward to much more clean, bright comedy.

(How temperamental these artists are! We believe that after the entertainment of March 25th two highly emotional members of the Executive resigned from the Company and threw in their parts While regretting their action we realise such things must take place with highly-strung sensitive temperaments.