"LUCKY DURHAM."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1157, 19 June 1911, Page 6

"LUCKY DURHAM."

BY THE ANDERSON DRAMATIC COMPANY. "Lucky Durham," a drama iu four acts, by Wilson liairett. CastJohn Durham H- «• Kobcrts Lord Mountfallou Herbert Leigh James Vallerton Victor iiuhcrbert ilcggic Stcighton Kenneth ilramntou Laciy Mountiallon Miss Beatrice Day Mrs. Durham Miss ilardiiigc-Maltby Mirearet Stcighton Mies J)u raur Delen VaJlerton Miss Ethel liashford Wilson Barrett's play. "Lucky Durham," written shortly before his death, is not new to Wellington. It was played hf-ro a couple of years ago by a company headed by Mr. Harcourt Beattyand very well played, too. This play embodies problems as old and time-worn as tho Sphinx in the violent protests against tho unwritten social code, with itsone law for the man and another lor the woman, and "the sins of the fathers theory, with which it goes hand in hand. Barrett, who evidently thought deeply on the subject (and was a strictly moral, fair-minded, and much respected actor , makes his point, when speaking through the lips of John Durham he says, .n effect-"Whv should the woman boar all the shame and degradation, and at the same time have the care of the child forced upon her?" It is futile to argue here about the rclativo responsibilities of the parents in such cases, but respecting the care of the child the dramatist, gets off the track. It is not the law so much as old Mother Nature who "forces" the care of the child on the mother. The story of the illegitimate son who comes to the support of those of kindred blood in their hour of nceci is not new. It is fold in crude black and white by Mr. Barrett, and makes, on the whole, a not uninteresting play. There are no depths, hidden or otherwise, little character drawing, and the general lines follow those of the simplest melodrama. John Durham, for instance, is made, the most impossible young man who spends half tho day iu kissing his mother, and the other in smoking cigars and writing nut cheques for his worthless young cub of a half-brother. He returns from America bulging with money, gets into the confidence of every member of the Mountfallon family, and sweeps to his grand revenge by purchasing up their hopelessly-mortgaged estates, and winning tho girl who would, in tho ordinary coarse, havo como to the rescue of the family by 'marrying the scape-grace heir. Durham's self-sutiicient caddishness comes out at the finish, when he determines on turning the Mountfnllon brood into tho streets, but is checked by his gentle mother, who makes him feel how contemptible his action is. To throw John's virtues into high relief Mountfallon is pictured as a burntout roiie; his son as a gambling, forging, drinking, vapid fool; his daughter as a cackling irresponsible, and Lady Mountfallon as an hysterical, designing woman. Against this background ■of family defects, John shows up in a pure white light, and gains much sympathy and applause, as acted most sympathetically by Mr. H. E. Roberts, who made him a nice, smilingly suave young man of prepossessing appearance. A touch of American brusqiiencss iu manner and speech would have strengthened the characterisation. Miss Beatrice Day was charmingly in the picture as Lady Mountfallon, a character she invested- with her innate refinement, and a high senso of comedy. Her excellent acting was responsible for the most successful scene in the play, where sho becomes wildly hysterical at the thought of being turned oiit of doors with tho possibility of having to sweep a crossing. Lord Mountfallon, an unsympathetic role, was rather stolidly acted by Mr. Herbert' Leigh. Mr. Kenneth Brampton presented a delightful "Johnny" sketch as Reggie SfeightDii (Monntfallon's foolish son). Mr. Victor Fitzhevbert, as James Vallerton, did a lot'of responsible work in manner that augurs well for his. future. Ho is gifted with a good stage appearance and has a telling voice, and acts with repose and intelligence. Miss Ethel Bashford made Miss Vallerton a fluffy, undistinguished, and rather mechanical maiden, with a slight promise of better things in the last act. Miss Du Faur was artlessly irresponsible as Margaret Steighton. Her candid exposure of everyono to Durham would gain in effect if she paid more' attention to inflection and facial expression. In several other regards this young actress has points in her favour. Miss Hardinge Maltby, who, at short notice, played Mrs. Durham, acted with grace and refinement. The manner in which a small part may be projected into prominence was shown in the make-up and habit of Mr. Fred. Coane as Tasker, the frowsy messenger in Durham's office. The play was well mounted, the garden scene at Ascot makintr a charming stage setting.

"Lucky Durham" will bo presented again this evening.