OPERA MOUSE.-"Dark Days."

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 233, 4 October 1886, Page 3

OPERA MOUSE.-"Dark Days."

Those who havo read Hugh Conway's celebrated novelette of this name-and who has not ?—will hardly require to bo told that it abound-* in the sensational, Thoeo who Baw the clever dramatisation of it which was presented at the Opera House on Saturday oveniug must appreciate tbe skill with which the Btory has boßn thrown into a form tit for stage representation. Tho task was no easy ono. Hugh Conway's storms are generally cast in tha descriptive style, and tho writer has but very slight recoutße to the conversational method of evolving incidents or developing plots, as this, however, is the very style which must obtain on tha stage, Mr Comyns Carr, in dramatising the story, had a work of no littlo difficulty to undertake. In it ho has succeedod admirably. Such characters as Sir Mervyn Ferrand, Ethel Brabourne, William Evans, and the Hon. Percy Pentland are pushed with advantage into greater prominence, -and long passogeß of very effectivo dialogue, occasionally sparkling with repartee are introduced, while a few touches are added to tha plot, the general effect being to claborato a play which for sustained interest and effectiveness of situations must assuredly take a firm hold of public favour. The audience on Saturday evening was a large ono, and tho play mado a decided and very palpable " hit." In fact, it is so far the success of tho season, and tho Company would havo done well to have opened in it. It ia mounted in really first-class stylo. Two scenes aro especially deserving of commendatory notice. One is the Bnow scene wherein Sir Mervyn Ferrand is murdered. The back scene representing tho margin of a lake is a most artistic effort, and was brought by Mr Reeve from Melbourne, while Mr W, H. Pulford has fairly excelled himself in working up tho foreground, with its mantle of snow and its leafless and frostrimmed trees. The audience was prompt to recognise the merits of this stage picture. Equally good in it 3 way is the scene in tho fourth act, dopicting the court of an hotel in Seville. It is bright and attractive, and was also brought from Melbourne. Mr Wybort Reeve sustains the role of Sir Morvyn Ferrand, and plays it admirably. It is tho best portraiture in the cast, He is a cool, cynical, polished, and contemptuous roue, without any trace of softened feeling, and in these respacts bo adheres strictly to Conway's conception. Miss Lucia Harwood impersonates the heroine, Philippa Lafarge, with great power and fidelity, nothing being overdone or exaggerated in the many emotional passages associated with the character. _ Mr Brian Darley also appeared to undeniable advantage as Dr. "Basil .North, Philippa's lover, playing tho part with much dignity, natural emotion, and good judgment. Mr George Forbes* was suited to perfection in the part of tho Hon. P.Pentlaud.and scored every point. Mr Arthur Lawrence displayed his versatility by the skill with which he enacted the role of William Evans (groom and blackleg). It was really a clever portraiture Tho remaining parte were well sustoiued, and the Company, as a whole, proved highly successful. Tonight the B.me bill will be presented, and we are requested to state that tho performance will conclude at a quarter to olevon o'clock.