"SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY."

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 2

"SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY."

MISS NELLIE STEWARTS FINAL * ROLE. Although Mf. Paul Kester will insist in making the sovereigns of the lively days of the Stuarts the antithesis of what the history text books lead Uβ to picture blvem, hie fine romantic dramat) are magnificently conceived, and always worth a renewal of acquaintance. Queen Elizabeth, in "Dorothy o , the Hall," is reduced to a comic figure, and tire second Charles Stuart ie made to be quite a likeable fellow in "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," which wae staged last night at Hie Majesty's ac the final production of Mr. George Musgrove'e company. Mies Stewart hae for so long been aesoelated with the part of the orange girl, who rose to be the King's favourite, that it ie almost superfluous to observe that it's the most convincing and popular role , ehe undertakes. Last night's perform- ' ance drew a crowded audience, and once again Mies Stewart demonstrated that the efflux'ion Of time has scarcely left ite mark on the engaging vivacity and wonderful sympathy ehe is able to infuse into ! the part. Her impersonation provided a fitting pinnacle to successes she has com-mand-ed in Auckland. Mr. Clarence Blaki£ton'e Charlee 11. wae a feature of the performance that cannot be passed without comment. Hie impersonation of the sadder period of the life of the oncedaehing Royalist idol was distinctive, and obviously carefully studied. Of the other characters, Mr. Allan Wilkie'e Judge Jeffreys Wae boldly and originally presented. His make-up wae excellent, and if a>t times hie acting appeared to he over-vigorous in other respects, the ferocious Lord Chief Justice wae cleverly characterised. Mice Nancye Stewart made, a wineome Lady Olivia, whrle Mr. Hodgson Taylor's Sir Roger Fairfax was in keeping with the 'high standard of the acting of the company. "Sweet Nell" ie carefully and elaborately efcaged. The ecenes »re carried out with great accuracy of detail, and the costuming of the company ie one ol the most noteworthy features .of the production. , "Sweet Nell" will be repeated to-night and to-morrow. : ; . .. .