THE OPERA HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 2

THE OPERA HOUSE.

It is safe to state that all who witnessed the performance of 'The Silence of Dean. Maitland' at the Opera House on Thursday evening by Miss Maggie Moore, Mr H. R. Roberts and Company, thoroughly appreciated the undoubted ability manifested by the chief actors, and also were^ delighted with the admirable scenery introduced. 'The Silence of Dean Maitland' is a drama that calls for all the powers of even a good actor to assure success, as the frequent emotional passages necessitate the simulation of intense feeling, which- is of course the most dufficult branch of the actor's, profession. The story of 'The Silence of Dean Maitland' is too well-known to even require brief recapitulation. Suffice it to say that the adaptation by "Mr E. Lewis Scott is a good one, and the part of the Dean, 'Cyril Maitland,' could scarcely be more creditably played than it was on Thursday evening by Mr H. R. Roberts. The agony expressed by the Dean, who, with all the instincts of a noble man, yet suffered remorse for youthful follies that had resulted in the commission of serious crime, was really portrayed by Mr Roberts in a way that demonstrated clearly an actor of no mean ability was playiny his masterpiece. The final scene in the Cathedral, wlien at last the Dean breaks silence and publicly confesses his sins, really held the spectators' entranced. The whole of the surroundings were admirable. There was the altar with the lighted candles, and behind it the stained glass window. In front was the congregation, seated in the pews, while the organist could be heard playing in the distance. Presently, the processional hymn, 'Onward, Christian Soldiers,' was sung as the choristers, properly attired, marched in to their seats, followed by the Dean, no longer young, but with whitened locks and drawn features, betokening the intense remorse suffered during the 17 years that he had maintained silence. As the beautiful strains of 'Adeste Fidele' pealed forth from the organ and the congregation rose to sing, 'Oh, Come all ye Faithful,' some present.in the audience at first exhibited an inclination to rise, so realistic was the effect, and the strong tension was maintained until the culmination of the act, when the tortured Deaii completed his expiation by falling dead at the foot of the .altar. Lest it should be thought that the piece is a melancholy one, it is as well to explain that at times some good comedy is introduced, in which Mr Walter Rivers—the Tillage 'grandfa'-—plays no, mean part. Naturally Miss Maggie Moore appeared as 'Lillian Maitland,' the sister of the Dean and faithful ■ lover of 'Dr. Everard,' who through the silence, spent IS years in gaol for the crime committed by his friend. i This character- by the way was well taken by Mr Alec. Cochrane. Good work was also done by Miss Osgood Moore, who first appeared as the bright young sister of Dean Maitland, and subsequently in the somewhat sad part of his blind son, she being equally good in. both characters. Mr J. J. Ennis was good in the character of the Dean's father, 'Rev. Mr Mainland,' and Miss Maggie Corcoran not only looked charming, but acted well in the.part of 'Marion Everard,' afterwards the ■ Dean's wife.* 'Dr. Thaddens' does not appear for long, but the part was well taken by Mr F.red Esmeltbn, and the same may be said with regard to Mr Vincent, who appeared as 'Ingram Swanystone.' As usual at first performances, the inter-' vals were somewhat lengthy on Tb.urs* day evening, but this was, to a great extent, compensated by the excellent music played by the orchestra, conducted by Mr Harry Hawkins. 'The Silence of Dean M&itlanr' will be again repeated this evening. On Monday the 'Trilby Burlesque' will be staged,.