ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4194, 26 November 1883, Page 2

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

"Sani'l 0' Poson."

"S.VM'r, O'l'oskn," a four-act drama of a sensational chnractor, descriptive of tho fortunes of Samuel Seligman, a Jowish pedlar, from l'osen, in Gormuny, was produced at tho Opera House on Saturday night to a good house, and appeared to give gonoral satisfaction. It requires but slight discrimination to perceive that it is tho English adaptation of an American play, and which there is by no means so much frolicsome fun or ho many ludicrous situations in it us "Tho Arabian Night" and "Tho Strategist," it has certainly more of the dramatic olomont. From tho position of pedlar, Sum'l rises to that of travellor for a jeweller's shop, owned by an old gentloman who has two nophowH—one, Frank Steele, a scheming scoundrol, and the other, Jack Fulton, an honourable but rather inconsiderate young man. Of course, the uncle has a lovely daughtor, to whose hand both nophews aspire, and, as usual, vico,|in tho shape of Frank Steelo, who, with tho aid of a French girl, fastens tho suspicion of thoft upon Fulton, proves victorious for a timo. Sam'l fulls in lovo with Robocca, a .Jewess omploycd in tho jowoller's establishment, and the pair bocomo tho instruments through which villainy is oxposed and maligned virtue reinstated in its proper position. Steele has secretly started a gambling establishment, at tho head of which he places tho Frenchwoman, now his privately-married wife; Fulton is lured there for the purpose of being exposed; Sam'l, with valuable jewols in his possession, visits the place to warn him, and is hocussed and robbed ; and finally Stoele murders his wife there to silence her demands for tho publication of thoir nuptials. Sam'l is discharged from his employment, but starts upon the trail of Steolc, recovers tho gems, procures evidenco of the murder, and brings about tho orthodox denouement. Mr Polk plays the part of the Jowish pedlar with decided skill, the nasal intonation and tho Teutonisms of his speech being happily simulated. Mrs Polk makes a pretty and engaging Rebecca, and tho otlior rOles aro well sustained. They were allotted as follows :—Mr Moroton, jowoller, Mr R. A. Vornon; Jack Fulton, Mr E. Calvort j Frank Stcelo, Mr Boothman ; Mdllo. Blancho, Miss Lona Ellis ; Uncle Laban (Rebecca's uncle), Mr H. Powor. The piece will bo repeated to-night for tho last timo.