"THE MORALS OF MARCUS."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13096, 22 April 1908, Page 8

"THE MORALS OF MARCUS."

Good plays tbat aro adaptations of popular novels aro so raro that one welcomes very heartily so sterling a piece as ''The" Morals of Marcus," produced for the first timo here last night by the Herbert Flemmmjc Company at His Majesty's! The situations aro "intensely dramatic ivithout bemti forced, tbe principal characters are strongly drawn, ay.d the dialogue is witty and incisive. There. are tour characters upon whom the weight ot the play rests. These last niclit, owing to the very regrettable accident which has deprived Christchurch playgoers ot the pleasure of seeu.g Miss Beatrice Day again, were practically reduced to Aree, the young lady who undertook the'part of Judith being nianitestly overweighted, The management had no alternative, and Miss Evans is entitled to praise for having undertaken the character and so enabled us to eoe a 'really fine play. The part of Carlotta is an exceedingly diihcult one to play, the differing phases of character to Iks interpreted being numerous and complex. The artistic success achieved by Miss Guildford-Quinu is therefore the more meritorious. Miss Quum was excellent in her pourtrayal of the childlike ignorance- of Carlotta of Western customs, notably in thosecond act, where she meets Lady Elmira, and disconcerts that lady by her plain speaking. In tho scenes with Sir Marcus, too, Miss Quinn was very gootl. tho leading points of the character being very strongly developed. Sho also brought out very strongly tlio change which takes place in the last act in the character of Carlotta, tho change from the irresponsible girl to that of the woman who has passed through the lirce of sorrow, trial and suffering to the attainment of 'wisdom. It was throughout a most artistic conception, finely carried out. Miss Alice Daintrcfl was good as Lady Elmira, and Miss Joan Blair is entitled to considerable credit for her clever character acting in the part of Antoinette. Mr Hcmewood's Kir Marcus was a carefully studied performance. Ho pourtrayod with considerable- dramatic force—though this was " well under control—the gradual awakening of love for the waif whom ohauco has brought to his house. There was no straining after effect; tho part was played with simple pathos ancj power. .Nothing .could have boon better than his scenes with Carlotta, notably that most touching one in tho last act when ho welcomes the wanderer back again. Mr Montgomery's Pasquale, though as a whole good, lacked smoothness and repose, and there was scarcely enough of that insouciance which is the main feature of the character. Mr Montgomery was at ibis best in the 'scene with Sir Marcus in tho last act. Mr Fordo mado a good deal out of the part of tho old butler, which was quietly but effectively played, and Mr Winter Hall as Hamdi was good. Tho piece will bo repeated to-night. Tomorrow evening "Olivia" will be played, with Mr Herbert Flemming as the Vicar.