THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8596, 25 September 1893, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE SAILOR'S KNOT."'

It ia much the fashion now-a-days t* look with somothing akiu to contempt od melodrama as a relic of Iho old times, which, with the farce, ought to be buried ia oblivion. That this is truo as regards a good deal of the peculiar stylo of melodrama known as " blood aud thunder" cannot be denied. But in " A Sailor's Knot," the new play by Mr Pottitt, which Mr Bland Holt introduced to us on Saturday ovouing, quite a new lino has been struck out by the dramatist. The play us constructed is what may ho called an historical one, with a strong dash of patriotism approaching iv a manly manner the love of country winch is iuhereut in all. When to this is added an interesting plot full of incident, aud effect, together with the inevitable strain of comedy to relieve the more serious portions in it, w» have a piece which ia well worth seeing, aud is indeed a very long way above the average of the many plays which Mr Fettitt alone and in collaboration has produced. It will not be necessary to rc-produco the plot. Suffice it to say that tho author has cleverly seized upon that period in the history of England when the moat romance attached to it, viz., the war with Napoleon and the naval and military victories won by the soldiers aud sailors of England. To this is added a romantic story ot throe lives, two brothers loving the same li\\ly, a couple of villains, and a sweet little English girl, ami a waterman with a deficiency ot grammar. The part of tho heroine, Marie Delauuay, wa» taken by Miss Edith Blande, and throughout the piece sho acted with considerable force and effect. Tho was perhaps at her beat in the two scenes with her lovers, in which, strange to say, she is renounced by both. Her pourtrayal of the dismay with which she sees her lover, long since thought dead, coming between her mid her happiness with his brother was admirably done. There was no exaggeration, but a great deal of repressed power—tho most effective of stage arts. So also her leave-taking, the utter desolation which falls on her life at the thought of parting from her lover, relieved by the sudden burst of joy when sho tiuds that her first lover has determined to miiko tho sacrifice, was excellently given. The part is by no means a strong one, bat it affords plonl} r of scope for quiet acting, which Miss Blande took full advantage of. Mrs Bland Holt had one of thoso charming parts whioh she acts with so much naturalness. The scene with Mr Holt under the mistletoe was most effective, and so full of pretty little touches of such natural acting as to take it, as it were, out of the scope of tho stage, and make one fancy that it was a little bit of coquetry seen whilst unseen. Mrs Holt played throughout the piece with much success, tho abseuco of anything like ataginoes, which is tho great chatm of hor pourtrayals, making her performance most enjoyable. Miaa Anuie Taylor, of whom Chustchuroh playgoers have many very pleasant memories, made a good deal of the small part of Dame Barbara. Miss Dillon, who made her debii* in Christchurch as the French maid Josephine, shows stage aptitude, and gives promise of greater success in more ambitious parts. Mr Holt as Joe Strawbones, though not having a part standing out so strongly in the dramatic picture as some in which he has appeared, was excellent. There is a keen sense of humour in Mr Holt on the stage, and he has an apt method of making all his points tell with a quiet effectiveness which at once takes the audience. His struggles with the difficulties of the English grammar, his perseverance in overcoming the obdu-. racy of Marjory, and his Mark Tapley-like spirit of being jovial under all circumstances, were most amusingly pourtrayed. Though, as has been said, the character does not stand out so Btrongly as the Jew in " The World," for instance, Mr Holt invests it by his vitality and stage aptitude with a good deal of power. Mr W. K. Baker, who played Jack Westward, is entitled to the utmost credit for a moat consistent, manly and powerful performance. His scenes with Miss Blande when he gives her up, and that on the quarter-deck of the s'uip when charged with treachery to his brother, ware most artistically played. But it was ia the last act in which Mr Baker scored an undoubted triumph. The e<66 itself comes as a kind of anti-olimax after the very powerful one on board the ship, but this is forgotten in the wonderfully clever effacement of Jack Westward in the forlorn looking wreck who comes on the stage. The scene in which the effect of the drug administered'to him by Pennycad is pourtrayed in its intensity and power ia worthy —though of course of a different character —to stand side by side with Mr Warner's realistic performance of CoupeaU in "Drink." It was a •wonderfully clever bit of character* aoting, and Mr Baker deserves the highest credit for hia per* formanco of the part throughout. The part of Harry Westward, excellently played as it is by Mr Walter Howe, is to some extent overshawdowed by that of Jack Westward. Mr Howe was capital in the scenes with Miss Blande, -where he declares his love, and also in that where he accusee hie brother of treachery and leads the mutiny on board the ship. Mr Inman made a good Andre Delaunay, and was most effective in the later scenes. Mr Corlesae was excellently cast as Ben Charker, investing the character with much realism. Mr Charles Brown's Peter Pennycad was a consistent and well thought out performance, and, without making the character repulsive, he yet succeeded in showing the peculiar re* vengeful traits of the part. The other characters were well filled by Messrs Brian England, Harry Norman, &c. The piece was admirably put on the stage: the scene of the quarter-deck of the Dauntless and the opening scene; Wapping Old Stairs, being in Mr Gordon's best style. The dresses aud-appointments also were both appropriate and correct in every detail; whilst the very effective poroheatra, under Mr Percy Kahoe, gave several selections illustrative of the piece in a manner deserving of praise. That Mr and Mrs Holt hold a prime position in the regard of Christchurch playgoers was amply proved by the extraordinary warmth of their reception. For some seconds after Mr Holt's appearance the action of the play was stopped whilst he was cheered to the echo. The same compliment in a modified degree was paid to all the old favourites, and Mrs Holt was the recipient of a very handsome bouquet. "A Sailor's Knot" will be repeated to-night. ■