AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12866, 16 July 1906, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

‘TBE FATAL WELDING.’

Scenic posters, display advertisements, records of crowded houses, the promise of a novelty in the form of a trained band of acting children, the advent of two London artists of repute (Mr Charles Van</ and Miss May Congdon), and the guarantee which comes from having well-known actors in the cast—-these factors all had some influence in the bringing together of a large audience at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, when Theodore Kremer’s five-act drama ‘ The Fatal Wedding ’ was produced for the first time in Dunedin. It was an indulgent and easily-pleased audience—so one 4 may conclude from .the facts that the low comedian’s every try was allowed, whether off-side or not, and that the preachy sentences from the hero and heroine were dulv singled out for applause without any attempt to discriminate between proved truth and sickly sentiment. That, of course, jg ■as it should be, from the actor’s and the playwright’s point of view; it is evidence that their work is telling. One thing about ‘ The Fatal Wedding ’ everybody can heartily appreciate—its entire freedom from mystery. Also, it contains no nastiness of any sort. Tho story is simple—so simple that we do not propose to set it forth and thus spoil the entertainment of those who are proposing to go and see for themselves. The first act discloses domestic wreckage. Howard Wilson and his wife are tom apart by the Divorce Court. Robert Curtis has a languid liking for Mrs Wilson, and a keen wish to become wealthy, and his taste and his passion are alike suited when Cora Williams, who is supposed to be a friend of the Wilsons, proposes to Curtis that he shall incriminate the wife, and, if successful, . reap a big money reward on the day that Cora becomes the second Mrs Wilson. The plotters succeed in separating husband and wife, and the second act shows the heroine starving in a New York hovel m company with her two children, whom abe has taken with her in spite of the order of the Court as to custody. She is fearful of the future, and specially apprehensive that Wilson will find her and recover the possession of the children. Wilson does discover her whereabouts, and takes the children to his mansion, whither the mother follows them, much to the annoyance of Cora, who by this time has perfected her hold upon Wilson, and indeed has already named the day for their wedding. This is merely an outline of the earher parts of the story, and we had better stop or we shall divulge details which, to be fully appreciated, must be seen on the stage. Up to "the point mentioned the characterisation is not very strong. But few acting opportunities come to the principals. Mr vane has a hard job to impart the requisite dignity to the chan acter allotted him, for Howard Wilson, as depicted in the introductory acts, is an invertebrate sort of person, professedly in love with hia wife, yet ready to believe the worst about her on mere suspicion after being expressly warned that for a purpose she is about to do something which may look queer. The playwright, too, is very severe on American Courts when he plans and carries through a divorce on no evidence. But Mr Vane’s early acting leads up to a crisis on which the author has expended his whole attention, and both actor and writer make amends before the finish. Miss Congdon is in the same predicament. She has to go through a lot of mourning for the sake of an effective climax. Possibly. if these English actors were to say all that is in their minds, they might tell us that they prefer the English style of play, strong all through, but that would be beside the question, for just now they are doing an American drama. Mr Tom Cannam is singularly unfortunate This worthy comedian, brought on to make fun, is compelled to burlesque a French waiter, and in so doing he has to behave in a manner that must do violence to all his notions of what a waiter’s part should be like. And he has no recompense whatever. No fair bit of comedy comes his way. So, too, fares his stage partner, Miss Amy Singleton, cast as an Irish cook. If this lady did not possess a large fund of resource the cook would be a dismal character. Here, perhaps, we may be pardoned for making a suggestion. When Bridget is called upon to express her opinion about the judge and Cora, the opinion would be quite as strong and as effective if she were to say “The Judge be bothered ” as it is by employing the incisive verb which for stage purposes is mostly reserved for the use of drunken men. Otherwise, Miss Singleton does ! fairly well with a somewhat stony part. As for Miss Dina Cooper, she also has to travel a hard road before arriving at her opportunities for acting, and it says something for her stagecraft that in the interval she makes the scheming Cora inter sting. Mr Herbert Leigh, impersonating Curtis, is likewise called upon to wander through a desert ere he sights the cancan of hia part. In the end they all get abundant chances, and we then find the strength of the company. Prior to this climax Mr Oily Deering brings his experience to bear on the small part of a policeman, and one can guess as to the company’s value when such a good actor can be spared for so insignificant a task. We see, also, some excel- ] lent acting from Mr C. R. Stanford as a German Yankee who befrierds the outcast wife. He manages this business most naturally. It is Mr Stanford, too, who brings on the children in the third act, which is tho beginning of ‘The Fatal Wedding’ as a striking play. The little ones are introduced cleverly, and their performances of alley songs and dances are well managed. We have never before seen such an array of juvenile talent on the stage. Every item in this scene was encored. Little Maisie Posner, who during these performances is only an onlooker, has a heavy acting part, being given a lot to say and to do, and it is really this mite who carries through the second act. The audience were charmed with Little Maisie. She is beyond doubt the most intelligent child ever seen on tho Dunedin stage, and whenever the action gives her a reasonable chance she makes the greatest useof it. Some of the set business is beyond her powers. The prayer to Heaven to keep her honest is, in the way it is put, mere balderdash, and not fair work for anyone, child or adult, but most of the part is very fairly written. It is a peculiar play, a little suggestive of ’The Silver King,’ but not obviously borrowing from that or any other popular woi’k. As we have said, much of the action is mere introduction. But tho author has a scheme, and it is disclosed in time. The sensational raid of Curtis’s premises in search of the conspirators’ agreement, the escape by a rope stretched over a chasm, and the end scene in which Wilson’s marriage with Cora is stopped, are strong enough to make any play. No doubt Saturday’s audience are speaking well of : the piece, and it seems, likely to draw good ' houses. It is to be repeated this evening. ; We have only to add that the dresses and the general mounting are fully adequate. FULLERS’ ENTERTAINERS. There was a typical Saturday night attendance at the Alhambra, when a change of programme was submitted. The Rowell sisters and Miss Vie Frawley made their reappearance, and were cordially welcomed in their new turns. The other performers who contributed to the success and enjoyment of a i-eally first-class programme were Misses Amy Blackie, Nellie Leslie, the Bertotos, and Messrs A. Douglas, A. L. Cropp, and Sam Wilson. In the second part the Scott brothers have a mirth-pro-yoking act, and keep their audience well amused, while Craydon, Barton, and Little Jackson do some most excellent work in their musical and instrumental specialty. Loydall and Berry, the two American artists, have established themselves in the position of first-water, favorites, and contribute a most enjoyable item. Miss Lucy Lavinnia sings a couple of coon songs admirably, and deserves the hearty recognition she secures. Owing to the interest they have created the San Francisco earthquake pictures are retained in the bill, of which they form not the least entertaining part. THE OPERA COMPANY’S CONCERT. Despite the boisterous weather and a strong counter-attraction in the direction of a novelty at His Majesty’s, the departure by the Opera Company in the form of a concert proved that the management were justified in the course taken, for the Garrison Hall was well filled. The programme i was an admirable one—-indeed, xt may iaaMv be said that it was tho boat wnnwgi.

presented in Dunedin for many years—and every item -was well received. • Moreover, it helped to demonstrate that the company include in' their ranks several capable singeiis (“ understudies ” presumably) outside the principals. Miss Vina de Loitte, who was the first lady soloist of the evening, gave a really admirable rendering of the trying aria ‘Roberto o tu che adoro,’ and the audience would not be silenced till portion of the number was repeated. Other items deserving of special mention in a programme whiich had not one weak spot ■were Mr Arthur Crane’s ‘Across the far blue hills, Marie,’ Miss Olive Godwin’s exquisite rendering of ‘ When the heart is young,’ Mr Howard Vernon’s humoroue (song ‘Merry little fat grey man,’ and Mr Frank Wilson’s spirited ringing of ‘I fear no foe.’ It is questionable whether either Miss de Loitte or Mir Wilson has been in better voice this season, and to them we incline to award the honors of the evening. The other soloists were Miss Dolly Castles, Messrs E. Fitts and H. Bracy (whose sweet tenor voice is still mellow). Mr Jamieson contributed a flute solo, and the very fine chorus whose efforts tended in no small measure to the success of the late opera season gave further proof of their excellence. A word of praise, too, is due to the orchestra, whose playing of ‘ Sicilian! ’ (‘ Oavalleria *) was greatly relished. In the second part of the programme Miss Ghiloni and Mr Vernon gave a scene from the second act of ‘ The Mikado,’ including some of the most popular numbers, and the entertainment was brought to a close shortly before eleven o’clock with the very best performance of ‘Trial by Jury ’ witnessed in this city. Mr Walla« was the Judge, Mr Whyte the Defendant, Miss Aggie Thorn the Plaintiff, Mr Crane her Counsel, and Mr Pitts an amorous Usher. Mr Kenningham appeared in the new role of accompanist, and acquitted himself satisfactorily. The company left for Txmaru this morning. LESUIvHARRIS, SOCIETY ENTERTAINER. The Lesiie-Hams season in the Garrison Hall commences to-morrow evening. Mr Allan Hamilton has been fortunate in securing such a bright, cheerful, and clever artist. Mr Leslie-Harris is nothing if not cheerful,' and he enjoys all his entertainments as much as his audiences and is never more pleased than when amusing others. He is a young man, and did not wait to visit the colonies till he became one of the “has-beens.” We all remember the late lamente t Melb. B. Spurr. Harris is Spurr de novo. “If he doesn’t make you laugh,” is the general accepted saying about him, “you should see a doctor.” His sketches are the acme of cleverness, and in view of the local interest in the Philharmonic Society, the humorous musical sketch ‘ The Choral Society ’ is certainly worth hearing. Mr Harris is also clever when he doesn’t talk or play, as witness bis .mirth-provoking pantomimic sketch ‘Silent Oratory.’ He is accompanied by a charming young New Zealand dramatic soprano, who has a pure voice of great range, vibrant in tone and delightful in quality. Sydney critics likened her to Madame Slapoffski in ‘Lohengrin.’ The box plan is filling at the Dresden. There are no charges for booking and no nearly door charges. PORT CHARMERS NAVAL BALL. The military social event of the year at Port Chalmers is the annual, ball of the Port Navals. The interest in the event this year showed no abatement in vigor or organisation on the part of those entrusted with the work of making complete arrangements for a successful social function, and the Garrison Hall at Port was artistically decorated and illuminated for the occasion. I lie decorations (entirely the work of members of the company) included, a display of bunting hung from vantage points in the interior of the hall, and these were tastefully interspersed with Chinese lanterns and festoons of bright-colored drapery. Gigantic tree ferns in full foliage formed a conspicuous feature of the decorations round the walls, and neat devices in fernery, bearing military rism'ficanoe, were artistically worked into blank spaces—P.C.N.A.V. and No. 3 N.Z.G.A.V.—the old and the new names of the company being most prominent. A 6-pounder quick-firer was fully counted, and rfles, bayonets, swords, etc., were intermingled with the general scheme of producing harminous effect; and the honors list of the company during their forty years of existence for individual and company shooting, also the honors list of the Port Chalmers “ absent-minded beggars” (who took part in the South African War), were brought into prominence Refreshments were served in a specially-prepared room The number present exceeded that of any previous years, 100 couples taking part in tho grand march, which was kd by Colonel .Allen and Mrs Dodds. In addition to the officers of the company—Captain Dodds, Lieutenants Crawford and Braithwaite, Surgeon-captain Borrie—there were present Colonel .Allen, Co'onel Stoneham, Major Strong, Captains Fredric, Washer, Bremner, M‘Ara, Bauchop. and Gray, Chap-lain-captain Christian, Captain Smith (Fire Brigade), Lieutenants Doull, Cook, White, Cameron, M‘Ken-?ie, Longworth, and Begcr, Me'srs E. G. Allen. M.H.R.. John Mill, J. Rennie, B.Sc., F. W. Platta, J. Millar, 1). A. De Mans, W. J Mitchell, John Watson, Stevenson, and M'Lauchlan. Dancing wa a kept up with spirit until early morning. The music was supplied by Hardy’s band, and the catering was carried out by Mrs Harrison. The duties of M.C.s were in the capable hands of Sergeant White and Gunner Reeves. Mr W. J. Astill, advance agent for Edison’s ‘ America at Work ' Company, is in Dunedin, making arrangements for the appearance of the company at His Majesty's Theatre on the 24th inst.