PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.
" THIS NEW MAGDALEN."
The return of the popular artistes, Miss May Howard and Mr G. W. Collier, is hailed with gratification by all the lovers of the drama in Auckland. The reception accorded to each of them on Saturday nightmust have satisfied them that our citizens have kept them. in remembrance during their absence. We are happy to say that Miss May Howard has fully recovered from the indisposition which a short time ago necessitated her resting for a while from her professional duties. It certainly redounds to the credit of Mr R. J. De Lias, the enterprising lessee, that no sooner lias the curtain fallen upon the Davrells than he has succeeded in engaging such a talented company for our delectation as that which is now announced to play at the Prince of Wales for the next fortnight. The piece selected for the opening night was the dramatized version of Wilkie Collins' fine story, " The New Magdalen;" and the piece was placed upon the stage on Saturday evening in a most creditable manner under the management of Mr Collier. The plot of the story is so well known that it is needless to follow it at any length. It is sufficient to state that its main feature is the illustration of the difficulty v,bich attends the efforts of a fallen woman to regain a respectable position in society, however honest her intention may be to lead a virtuous life. The scene is laid on the frontier in the time of the Franco-German war, and the chief incident upon which the action turns is the assumption by Mercy Merrick, the fallen but repentant heroine, of the name and credentials of an English lady, whom she supposes to be killed, for the purpose of winning her way back to a reputable career. The popular author, who is also the dramatißer of the story, has undoubtedly made a home-thrust at one. of the un-Cliristainlike traits of modern civilization—a thrust which we have little hesitation in saying will have a result for good. As a drama "The New Magdalen" is striking and powerful: the interest excited by theappealing wrongs, and the ill-guided but "well-intentioned struggles of the heroine; as well as by the bold originality of the liberal minded, unorthodox, but broacl,viewed clergyman who is the saving clause from her relapse into the clutches of seven devils worse than the first, is sufficient to keep the attention of the audience rivetted on the stage from the rising to the falling of the curtain. Miss May Howard as Mercy Merrick grasped the spirit of her role in a masterly manner. When alone in the solitude of her own bitter reccollections, her history lived in her features, and when the Rev. Julian Grey utters the words " No common sorrow has marked that face" one feels that the expression is called for. In her demeanour with others, amid her artfully-assumed gaiety, taught perhaps in darker days, we catch frequent glimpses of the mighty sorrow which oppresses her, and which, in spite of her present seeming cheerfulness, is dragging her into the slough of despond. Miss Howard's majestic gait and advantages of personal appearance are undoubtedly much in her favour, but her great success is unquestionably to be, attributed to her artistic power of realising a character and evolving it with all that finish and fullness of detail, which a scholarly and musical declamation, united with a complete knowledge of the "business" of her art, enables her to attain. Mr Collier is making rapid strides in his profession. As Vivian Grey he was master of the situation throughout. The character is a unique one, and gives one rather the idea of a creation of poor Charles Kingsley than of Wilkie Collins. Its peculiarities were well apprehended and depicted by the actor. How well we can all of us enter into this parson's exclamation of surprise that his Diocesan should take such umbrage at his whistling, when there were so many real wrongs to be Bhocked at.in the world. Miss May Howard and Mr. Collier were called before the curtain several times during the performance. Miss Clara Stephenson and Mrs Jones took the important parts of Grace Roseberry and Lady Janet Roy very effectively, and contributed much, to the success of the representation. Mr Aveling was hardly perfect in the " book," but well judged as ever in his conception of "Horace Holmcroft," the war correspondent. The other characters were few and well sustained, especially that of the German surgeon by Mr Oily Deering. Mr Thornton, as a scenic artist, had evidently been busy, and his labours were well appreciated, especially in the conservatory scene. The orchestra v.ere in capital fettle, and, as there was a crowded and enthusiastic house.above and below, everything may be .said to have gone off most satisfactorily to all parties, as indeed it could not fail to do. The same piece is advertised for to-night.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1660, 14 June 1875, Page 3
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825PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE. Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1660, 14 June 1875, Page 3
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