THE RIGNOLD DRAMATIC SEASON.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 93, 21 April 1897, Page 6

THE RIGNOLD DRAMATIC SEASON.

"TOMMY ATKINS."

"Oh it's Tommy this.and Tommy that.and | Tommy go away ; but it's thank you, Mr Atkins, when the band begins to play " — so sings Kipling. And so for a brief space Tommy Atkins, or rather some of him, became ohe hero of the stage last night, because he was there in his red coat and all his impudence, and the band was there to play. He was cheered and made much of, because he was seen absolutely at his best in two great scenes — first, when he peacefully paraded with his band to St. Barnabas Church (the choir of which is a sad discredit to its choirmaster, if the hymn of last night was its best effort) and again when he manned the Malaki fort and entrenchment, and showed in miniature what he could and would do in defence of the honour of his country. This was indeed a scene which would carry to success almost any piece. There stands a rugged fort in the Soudan, where the beleaguered garrison, starving, thirsty, and reduced almost to its last cartridge, is surrounded by the bloodthirsty enemy. Terms of surrender are offered, and accepted by the traitorous commanding officer, on one scoundrelly condition — namely, that the man who shows the signal of surrender is shot dead. This man is the hero of the piece, who knows too much of the past history of his Colonel, and therefore must die. The Union Jack is hauled down amidst the murmured discontent of the men, who right-a,bout-face that they may not see it dorm. The hero lieutenant is ordered to show the flag of surrender, but he flings it to the ground and defies his officer, amidst cheers from the ranks. The scoundrelly Colonel snatches it up. waves it aloft himself, there is a crashing volley from outside, and he falls dead, the victim of his own foul plot. TJien the garrison fix bayonets and prepare to receive the enemy. There is a sharp fusiladc, and the word is passed that the last cartridge has been served out. But then of course arrives the relief column. It was a great scene, the best in the piece, and brilliantly effective. The rest of the play is on conventional melodramatic lines, and turns mainly on the villainy of a certain military captain, the betrayal of a charming young girl, and some heroical deeds of a curate who discards his cloth and goes to the wars in the Queen's service. There is also the usual comic relief^ But all through there is much .to delight the hearts of those who know and love their melodrama. The scenery and stage effects throughout are excellent, and some scenes aro remarkably fine. The action wants brightening up, so as to 'bring the performance inside three hours, and there are minor joints of the drama which want oiling. Mr. George Rignold, the clerical and soldier hero, did not seem to be in the best form, and Mr. Diver was a moody military villain, but Miss Emilie Hughes, an exceedingly graceful and pretty actress, gave a charming rendering of the part of Ruth Raymond, the betnyed heroine, bright and merry in her happier moments, and avoiding hysterics in emotional scenes. Miss Watts Phillips, and Messrs. H. Douglas and F. Crossley, as the comic relief, gave the audience many a hearty laugh with their playfully humorons comedy. There were others in the long list of characters, whom space forbids us from naming, who helped along the piece, which will run till further notice.