"LA TOSCA."

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10886, 11 February 1901, Page 6

" LA TOSCA."

If there is one point more than another which charms theatre-goers it is a varied bill of fare, and the Nance O'Neil Company are certainly giving Christchureh a good time in this direction. Sxrdou's tragedy, "La Tosca," was presented on Saturday evening, and although artistic in every detail, and full of incident, it is a sombre play, in which neither villainy nor virtue triumph, and all the principals die violent deaths. Hut after "A School for Scandal,' it proved an interesting change, and gave Miss Nance O'Neil a fine opportunity of displaying her undoubted pow-cr as an emotional actress. In parts she was superb as Floria Tcsca, and her grief at the terrible trouble she brings down upon her lover, Mario Cavaradossi (Mr Henry Plimmei) was a great effort. The scene* ia which she despatches Scarpia at the moment when his victory seems complete, held the house breathless, to burst forth in a storm of applause as the curtain fell. Yet, just here and there, the actress hardly seemed to reach her'own true standard." Her part is. however, a very he:wy one, and she sustains it very well. Mr Thomas Kingston, as Baron Scarpia, the unscrupulous —even fiendish—Minister, gave an interpretation of which is impossible to say too much. Every situation was carried through with force, yet not overdone, and altogether his acting was very fine. It would bo difficult to describe him as he appeared in the scene alone with La Tosca, at the castle of St. Angela. It was true acting, which carried his audience right along, •.ill he falls slabbed to the heart; and when he fell it was Soarpia the- audience saw, the actor's identity having been sunk entirely in his splendid pourtrayal. Miss Fitzmaurice (.4ill w«vs quite successful as Marie Carolina, and Miss Edith Berry as the Princess. The other characters weie well placed, and the piece was staged most effectively. This evening Miss O'Neil will enter upon the last six nights of her engagement here with the production of the lamous historical play, ""'Elizabeth, Queen of England." It luu* been paid of tiw. young American t'aat her -Miigda was s-uperb, and Ler Elizabeth a triumph. The play is said to be exceptionally well mounted ; maoagst a series of tine scenes the throne room beinj? paitkularlv singled out for admiration. '"Elizabeth , ' will staged this and to-merro-.v evenings only. On Wcdiuwiay and- Thursday, "Camille" will bo staged!" Friday, Nance O'Neil will appear as "Hsdda Gabler" in Ibsen's great play, au<l Saturday "Peg YvViffiugtoa" will afford an opportunity of biddisg a lotg farewell to Miss G'Netl and her company.