AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 99, 27 April 1903, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. ,

"A LIFE'S REVENGE."

I The popular taste is in. the direction of the strongly emotional style of dramaj and "A Life's Revenge," which was produced on Saturday evening at His Majesty's Theatre, hits the popular fancy, in a very successful manner. Eventful and strongjy emotional, though not absurd by reason of any excess in this respect, it teems with thrilling scenes, love and hate are the moving causes, and villainy has a thorough though a shortlived triumph. Written specially for English audiences, the drama presents Russian tyranny in. a strong light,-and brings into corresponding »prominence the glorious liberty which Britons enjoy. This strain is judiciously introduced, and is responsible for some of the enthusiasm with which the play was received. The study of "Prince Boris Strpgdroff," a Russian nobleman, by Mr H. W. Diver, was one of the best features ,of the drama- With an admirable .make-tip and stage presence, he put real force into his simulation of the intense hatred which "Strogoroff" felt for "Paul Starovitch," an artist, who thwarted the Prince in love. He had a full share of the villain's compliments from an audience which was thoroughly led away by the realism of capable acting. "Starovitch," the nobleman's victim, and the successful suitor for the hand of "Princess Wanda Hyala," found an able exponent in Mr Harry Plimmer, passionate reverence f,or his love and heroic self-restraint being effectively represented. Miss Ida Gresham played the "Princess Hyala" with real charm and sympathy, and showed capability in the scenes where the nobleman disclosed his unrequited passion for her. The adventuress, "Marcia Vittoria," who hates and loves with all the ardour of her French nationality, was pourtrayed by Miss Helene Burdette, who sustained the part well, but sometimes forgot her French accent. With a somewhat "heavy , ' plot, the humorous relief was thoroughly appreciated. It deserved to be, for, with the exception of a few remarks not in the best of taste, the merriment *was bright and uproarious. Mr George Chalmers as "Colonel Turnbeloff," gruff and somewhat drunken, .worked well with Mr Frank Hawthorne ("Nicholas Bobolinsik'off") in sustaining the fun, the couple introducing a particularly funny lot of "business" in Act HI., where both attend the same ball as "Colonel Tumbleoff."' Miss Katie Towers, in the guise of a masculine lady, "late of the music halls," was sprightly, and Mr George Hassell was very droll as an English tourist. A very useful character, "Michael Orloff," was in the hands of Mr C. R. Stanford, who might have put a little more feeling into it, while Mr Edmund Duggan was; alternately serious and amusing as "Maurice Trevor," an English artist and a .friend , of "Starovitch." The remainder of the cast was weH sustained, and the drama was splendidly mounted, no pains being spared in stage furnishings, while ;.the mechanical effects were clever and effective. Eventful, well acted, and. well staged, as is "A Life's Revenge," it is sure to suit the taste; of a very large section of the public.