"THE SILVER KING"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3095, 28 May 1917, Page 3

"THE SILVER KING"

BY THE BRANDON-CREMER . COMPANY "Tho Silver King," a melodrama in five acts, by B. A. Jones aiid H. Herrman. Cast— Wilfred Denver Marico Tuohy Cnpt. Herbrt Skinner Edgar Kormii S<!"!' y Corkott Robert Le Boy Elian Coombs ..! W. J. Coulter Cnpps victo,- Paul Daniel Jaikes ...]f rauk Neil Geoffrey Mare Georgo Henderson Sam llavter Charles Ward Nelly Denver .....Kathleen Arnold Olive Skinner j\l a bel Hardingo V, ,s 1 y J s ™™' ' Irene Marsh Ned Denver Alice AVhito Probably the most respected and assuredly ono of the most popular of En™lish playe that como within tho category of melodrama is Henry' Arthur Jones and Henry Herman's "The Silver King, which was revived at tho Grand Opera House on Saturday by the Bran-don-Creiner Company. How many times this play has been revived here and elsewhere would puzzle a statistician, but the very- fact that it has been played fio often indicates in no uncertain fashion that tho play possesses . qualities proof against the acid test of time. It is a far cry back to the first performance in Wellington of "The Silver King." This was given at the old Opera House (on the site of Everybody's Theatre) on November 17, 1888, under tho aegis of Messrs. Mllahon and Leitci (by arrangement with Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove). On that occasion the Tolo of Wilfred Denver -was entrusted to Mr. Fred Appleton, an actor of strong dramatic power. Since then such distinguished players as Walter Bentley, Wilson Barrett (the original "Silver King"), George Titheradge (the original in Australia),. Albert Lucas, and Julius Knight have appeared here in the

•part, and none has ever failed to impress in this role. Whilst Saturday'sperformance did not disturb the impressions of other good casts, it was interesting throughout, and the audience was never permitted to lose interest in the engrossing story, which in told in a series of well-written and logically convincing scenes. It is not necessary to rehearse in detail tho story of the play.

AH playgoers will remember the murder of Geoffrey Ware by Herbert Skinner (the "Spider"), and how the crime is fixed on Wilfred Denver, who, dru,nk at

tho time, and hating Ware (who was his wife's admirer), believes that ho really has kjlled him, and flees the law. Years afterwards he returns, rich with spoils of tho Nevada hills, to 'find his wife and child in beggary, and about to bo turned out into the street by the landlord, who proves to be none other than the'

"Spider." Patiently Denver plays liis cards unit! sure of lii-' own innocence, as lie' is of the "Spider's" guilt, lie tracks him down, and finally delivers him up to justice; whilst the reunion of Denver,-with, his wife and child and faithful old Jaikes provides .a glowing halo of happiness in (ho final scene. Barring a few hitches in stago management almost inseparable from a first performance, tho play was well presented. Mr. Tuohy, who was Wilfred Denver, gave a well-sustained performance, which gained in effect through his natural, reserve and qiiiet methods. Without any taint of theatricalism, Mr. Tuohy got to the heart of his audience in thoso affecting scenes ■with Cissy and old .Taikes, and as "Deaf Dicky" (where he is tracking down the "Spider" and his gang) his disguise was good.. As the "Spider" (a famous portrait in the melodramatic rogues' gallery), Mr. Edgar Kenna was alert and clean cut, hut put rother more vindict.ivenes? into his

lines than is-usually allowed tho suave and gentlemanly "Spider." Miss Kathleen Arnold was properly pathetic as Nellie Denver, and Miss Mabel Hardingo acquitted herself admirably as Olive Skinner. ' Mr. Frank Neil's Jaikes was an appealing character studv, and Mr. W. ,T. Coulter made Eliali Coombes the smuggest and most ponderous of villains.' Little Trene Marsh (of W»lliniten) .played Cissy Denver, and Mr. R. Leroy made a lively Henry Corkett. The minor parts were nil well done.-< "Tho Silver King" will bo played'until further notice. . - .