THE OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1896, Page 3

THE OPERA HOUSE.

"HANDS ACROSS THE SEA."

| The Alfred Woods Dramatic Company, from Her Maje»ty'fl Theatre, Sydney, gave their firsb performance in New Zealand at I tho Opara House last evening, when a very | successful representation was given of the | sensational drama, "Hands Across the Sea." Thero was an excellent attendance, tho lower portioD of tho building being packed, and the droßs-circlo being weH rilled. Apart from the reputation which the Company bring with them, and the fact that there has been an alsnoab unprecadented dearth hereof drama by travelling companies for about 12 months, a drama with euch a title would in itself eneure a largo attendance. " Hands Aeroas the Sea " suggests aeasolion enough to satisfy an inveterate lover of tragedy out and out for a wholo twelve months. It promisea lovers, rivals, villains, murders, heroic deed?, and in fact everything es.seatial to a good stage tragedy of the usual type, in profusion. And its performance last night proved it to ba quite capable of giving all that its excellent title promisee. Ifa Is packed full of exciting situations and sensational incidents, and sustains tho interest of the lover of drama from the motnsnt tho curtain rises till tho closing finale. Tho story is of a young English farmor, a favourite with everybody, who falls a victim to the incriguo and persecution of his rival Richard Stillvvood. Tbo hero is falsely convicted of murder committed by the villain, and ib sentenced to death, bufc at an exciting moment ia reprieved, and sent to New Calodonia to ba imprisoned for life. From New Caledonia, he oscapoa, and afterwards ha i» picked up by a steamer boun^ from England to Anntralia, with hia wifeawd hp.v frionda and the villain (who is disguised) on board. After their arrival ia Sydrcoy the erimo ia sheeted homo to tho villain StUlwood through f.he ofiori.B of Dudley's friend, Tom Ras&ett, and tha hero is proved innocent, Stillwood is hnnged, and Dudley and his wife, and Tom Bassets and his wife settlo down and live happy over afterwards. Tho part of tho hero, Jack Dudley, waa ably token by Mr Alfred Wetxle, who ia undoubtedly an accomplished actor. Ho did the character every justice. Tom Basaott was well represented by Mr E. Cotjhian, and tho villain (Richard Stillwood) was in tho hands of Mr Altrod Bootliman. The latter, who is an actor of great ability, played the villain so realistically that towards the end his every appoarance before the footlights was the pienai for prolonged hissing and hooting. MrColletb Dobson, an old favourite, gave a good impersonation of Jean do Lusac : Miss Idreno Thornton was mosb succosefnl a« Lilian Molford (tbo heroine) ; Miss Maud Gwynne waa excellent aa Mabel StiUwood ; Mr J. P. West did well as Dick Melford, and ail tho othor artists also acfed very creditably. To lovers of tha typical seus&tional drama, the pieca is woll worth oeoing, and during tho ronoaining nights should be witnessed by crowded houses.