ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. THE SANDFORD COMPANY. "TEMPEST TOSSED."

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 132, 4 June 1904, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. THE SANDFORD COMPANY. "TEMPEST TOSSED."

The Opera House was packed in every part last; night with a holiday audience. Air. Walter Sandford's American Players were kitcn in a now play, " Tempest Tossed," a comedy- drama dealing with Nenbational incidents in the lives of fisher folk on the eastern coast of the United States. The play was ledolent of the sea, und the talk and character of tho dramatm persouae were breezy. All the plemtnls of hugedy weio piesen*' in t ho story, but not a single death took place, which is ltjmarkablo in tran&pouline drama. "Tempest, Tossed" has little literaiy merit, but the members of tho exceedingly well-balanced company made the most of the lines given them by the author. The comedy element was bornewhat exaggerated, but the fun-making hugely dohghted tho oiowd, who enjoyed tlie moans provided for "rounding off " tho holiday. LaughUu 1 and applause wuro frequent, and libeial treatment was also paid by the spectators for the leally excellent scenery u^ed throughout the four acts. The story of the play was simple und orthodox. A gentleman of leisure from Boston, Rjchirrd Wentworth (Mr. A. C. Henderson), spends a biief setuvon at a fishing villaße, where he meols and secretly marries Nelhu Preston (Miss Alice Ward), BUter of r hc raptain of tho fishing fleet, Tom Pieston (Mr. W. Sanford). Whilst Wentworth is staying in Iho village his uncle dies, leaving his nophew heir on condition that ho marries ltiury Haggard (Miss Laura Wall), the daughter of Jabez Haggard, a druuken fisherman (My. G. Kunkel), whom Preston has dismibscd from tho fleet. 'Haggard hates Bre&ton, which element of trouble is accentuated by the fact that the captain of tho fleet is in love with Mary, and the laiter reciprocates his affection. Wentworth induces Haggard to abduct Nellie, and Preston, during the feeiuch for his sistw, coincs in conflict with the two villains of the piec"e, a quarrel is taken advantage of by Wentworth to get rid of his aasncant, aud tho blame of what appears to Le murder is put upon tho hero. However, Haggard recovers in time to rescue Nellie Preston and oilier characters from a storm at sea, villainy is vanquished, and virtue triumphs in the good and popular oid-fashione<i wuy. The comedy element was in thu hands (and feel) of Mr. Bart Wnllace (a village consta-ble), Mr. Griffith Wray (a bait boy), Miss Adelaide Boothby (pretty Polly Perkins), and Mr. W. 11. Johnston (a mendor of nets). The only other characters in tho play were two lone fishermen (Messrs. Vincent and Bell), aud an attorney (Mr. Joan Delacy). ftlr. Delacy contributed a- song in tho second act. With* <v performance so even, particular mention would be invidioiiM. Of tho scenery, tho presentation of a rescue in. a rough sea in the second act was a particularly fine pieco of stage mechanism, and realistic in its praduclioik The members of the Wellington and Wairarapa, representative teams were present at the performance. " Tempest Tossed " is to be repeated tonight. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. There was a bumper house at nis Majesty's last night, and the programme submitted by Fuller'^ Entertainers met with an appreciative reception. The "star" turn of the evening was that given by Mews. Loimon, Hyinan, and Lennon, whoso juggling was done with & neatness and dexterity that was greatly admired. Time nfter time they were recallod. and each time thoy gave fresh and Convincing proof of their ability. Tho Stee'.o Si&ters made their first appcarauca, and quickly established themsvilves in popular favour. They sing and dance well, and also give an amusing sketch which provokes much merriment. Mr. Will Stevens is as funny as ever, and at the bidding of tho audience sung so many songs that there appeared to be a danger of his supply running short. Tlie swigu contributed by Hiss Dolly Luiiiunt, Miss Rose Belmont, Miss May Marlow, and Mr. s Joe Rocks, »md Mr, Ben Menzies were all encored, and the comk- sketches which are ii<* eluded iv the programme caused roars of laughter.