THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19400, 28 August 1928, Page 11

THEATRE ROYAL.

'TRIAL OP MARY DUGAN." "The Trial o£ Mary Dngan," which Is being presented at the Theatre Royal before large audiences, serves to show Mr Leon Gordon at his best. The play strikes a new note in that there is no rise or fall of the curtain on it cor is there an orchestra in the well to play prior to or between the acts, but so faithfully .is the atmosphere of an American Court of Justice presented that the absence of these "essentials" is not missed. On entering the theatre the audience see before them a Court room and soon learn that they are placed in the position of the jury, the advocates in the case occupying the attention of the Court coming forward and addressing them. The atmosphere is maintained till the finish of the case, so that when a voice from the audience gives a verdict of not guilty no one shows a surprise. Nothing but the highest praise is due to Mr Gordon for his portrayal of the part of the District Attorney, Galwey. He is admirable in the manner in which he presents the case and in his searching cross-examina-tion of the prisoner rises to great heights as an actor. Another fine performance is given by Miss May Collins as Marv Dugan. the girl who is on trial "for her lifo. Mr Leyland Hodgson shows that he possesses great histrionic talents and is quite as much at home in "straight' drama as in the lighter class of fare. Miss Daphne Bairn as Mrs Edgar Riepj Miss Evadne Roylo as May Harris, and Mr J. B. Atholwood as Patrick Brady also acquit themselves with distinction. Other members of a well-balanced cost are Misses Henrietta Cavendish Elsie Willing, Nancy Atkins, and Noel Boyd, and Messrs Les King, John D Arcy, Charles Wheeler, Campbell Copelin, h rank Bradley, John Fernside, Edwin Lester, and Dion Wheeler. "The Trial of Mary Dugan" will be repeated to-night. "SCANDAL** ON FRIDAY.

"Scandal," the daring comedy, which is to be presented by Mr Leon Gordon and the J- C. Williamson, Ltd., Dramatic Company, which includes the accomplished actress, Miss May Collins, at the Theatre Royal on Friday evening, was originally intended to be staged for a fortnight in Sydney, but so successful did it prove that its season had to be considerably extended, and it had then to be withdrawn while it was still attracting large audiences in order that Mr Leon Gordon might fulfil his present New Zealand dates. "Scandal" is said to keep the audience "on its toes." Much of the reputation of the play has been based on the daring of its presentation, but much of the merit of a performance is not merely in the words or the staging. Mr Gordon and the present company have attained an independent reputation, and this counts in a play like "Scandal." Mr Gordon is. welcome in any character, and as the injured Pelham Franklin he is said to be at his very best. "He is particularly fine," wrote a critic recently, "in the bedroom scene, where he humbles the pride of the proud, selfwilled Beatrix." The character of Beatrix gives Miss May Collins much better chances to exhibit her histrionic capacity. It is said that' she fills to perfection this ardnons role. Her clever acting, allied to her fresh young beauty and unusually charming personality, greatly assisted in making the revival of "Scandal" in Sydney the success it was. Miss Henrietta Cavendish has the part of Honoria, and others in the cast are Leyland Hodgson, Daphne Bairn, Frank Bradley, John Fernside, and Nancy Atkins. The "Scandal" box plans are now open.