AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13098, 24 April 1908, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

" OLIVIA.'

One of the sweetest and most human stories in the English language is Oliver Goldsmith's "Vicar of Wakefield." Though the story deals with a period long passed away, tho inimitable beautv of the principal figuro in the charming tale or i__iigh_-.h home life has preserved the interest or that tale even to this Hate. Hit* dramatisation has been done most artistically, and the characters that were drawn 'with so much lem-ity bv the author are invested in the play with a reality that makes them ft and out with wonderful distinctness. Ins remil was aided greatly by the admirable manner in which the play was interpreted bv Mr Herbert I. lemmings company at His Majesty's last night. The realism which surrounded the piece was for this reason mor w powerlullv impressed upon tlie audience, and bine© the palmv days of tho BroughBoucicault season-., no stronger or more artistic work ha* been seen here. Everv part was distinctly in the drt-matic picture, which was thoroughly complete as a whole. The i>erformaiio«_ had another side which, to tne lover of true dramatic art, was most enjoyable. This was the complete _ reproduction by all the characters—aided as they wen; by the correctness of the detail.-- of the lurniture, etc.—of the atmosphere <»t the period in which tne action ot the play is laid. -Miss Guild-ioid-Quitiii's Olivia was a carefmly studied, well thought out. and exceedingly arti?ti.- impersonation. The half doubts which Olivia has a.* to the honour of the Squire, conflicting with the deep love which she bears him, wero mosi. admirably pourt rayed. The great featuro ot Miss Quinn's performance - was the thorough recognition by her of the simplicity of the character of Olivia. But whilst this was so Miss Quiiui was fully equal to the strong emotional portion of the part, as was evinced by her excellent acting in the scene in the third act, where the learns that she has been deceived by her lover. In the touching scene with her parents and family on her return she was equally good. Miss Nellie Mortyne gave an excellent interpretation of tho character of Mrs Primrose, and Miss Clarens was also very good in the part of Sophia. Mr Flemming's Vicar was a wonderfully powerful, yet charmingly delicate, performance. 'Jho beautiful traits of the character were pourrrayed by Mr Flemming in a masterly manner. Every point of the part had evidently been carefully studied, and the picture as a whole was most complete and artistic. The character possesses so many varied and complex phases as to make it extremely difficult to do full justice to all, but in this Mr Flemming was most successful. Whether as tho happy and contented villa go clergyman, tlvo doting father, or the man overwhelmed for the time by misfortune but still having perfect trust, ho was equally excellent. He was especially good in the last act, .and' the touching finale of the play where tho vicar is filled with deep thankfulness at tho dispersal of the clouds which have come over his family. Mr Winter Hall's Burchell was an excellent study, the part being played throughout with much care and l success. Mr Homewoocl. in the sonic, what thankless part of tho Squire, showed how excellent an actor he is by his commendable' performance. The other characters were all well filled, and tho piece was beautifully and appropriately mounted. The double pastoral quartet in the first act was well snng, and Mr Winter Hall was also good in "Begone Dull Care." Tonight ''Olivia" will be repeated. For to-morrow evening, which is th© last of the season, Mb3 Beatrice Day's medical advisers havo given her permission to appear. "Dr. Wake's Patient" will bo revived with Miss Beatrice Day as Lady Gerama and Mr Herbert Flemming as Andrew Wake.