MAGGIE MOORE-H.R. ROBERTS COMPANY-

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 2

MAGGIE MOORE-H.R. ROBERTS COMPANY-

'FORTY-NINE

Last evening at ' Abbott's Opera House the Maggie Moore-H. R- Roberts Dramatic Co. gave a most successful performance of the popular

American play 'Forty-nine,', in which Miss Moore and Mr Roberts once more showed their histrionic talent and their great versatility. 'Forty-nine' is a picturesque drama of the o]d Californian days, and the scenes introduced remind one very much of some of Bret Harte's stories. 'Fortynine,' who is a man named Dennison, derives his name from one of the great rushes to the Californian goldfields in 1849, when he left his home in St. Louis in search, of gold in the far West. He rescues some years before the time of the scenes on the stage two little girls who are found alone and friendless in the Sierra snows, their Indian • nurse having died. One of these children, popularly known as 'Carrots,' is 'Forty-nine's' firm friend ever afterwards, and she proves to be a missing heiress. Miss Maggie Moore made a splendid 'Carrots,' and her acting- and singing quite delighted the audience. Miss Moore has never done better, and those who wish to see a really faithful and clever interpretation of this unique character should not fail to attend the second performance of 'Forty-nine' to-night. The songs, chiefly negro plantation melodies, pung by Miss Moore greatly pleased the audience, and she was loudly applauded. Mr H. R. Roberts as 'Fortynine' was at his best; and he gave a powerful, manly, and altogether admirable impersonation of the brave but gentle old gold-digger. Mr. Alec Cochran took the part of Arthur Dennison with much success, and did valuable and faithfuil work in that character. Mr Herbert Ashton made a good Colonel James, and Miss vVoodhill took the part of Mississippi with considerable credit. Ned, asurvivor of the Mountain Meadow Massacre of the 'fifties' was played by Mr Walter Rivers. The other parts were filled with every success by Miss Grace Riehm, Miss Lily. Branscombe, Messrs F. Esmelton, W. J. Townshend, J."J. Ennis, H. Cato, Vincent (Captain of the Vigilantes), C. Lyndon, and Edwards. The scenery was appropriate and of the best, and the interesting drama was exceedingly well staged throughout. No one should miss seeing the second and final performnnee of 'Forty-nine' to-night. Yesterday afternoon the company generously gave a matinee performance in aid of St. Mary's (Ponsonoy) and Takapuna Roman Catholic "orphanages, playi-ng 'Mrs . Quinn's Twins' to a crowded house of iuveniles.

To-morrow evening the performance "will be a complimentary benefit to Mr H. R. Roberts, and is under the patronage of Lt. Col. Banks and the Auckland vohnnteers. The colonel has consented to the volunteers appearing in uniform, and Hunter's Garrison Band will also be in attendance; The performance will consist cf a double bill, 'David Garriek, and a most amusing piece entitled 'The Chinese Question.'