WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Evening Star, Issue 13000, 20 December 1906, Page 6

WILLIAMSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

'THE CHR3STIAN.' J Dramatic versions of ' Tho Christum' have been so often put before the Dunedin -public that it ifi unnecessary to disenss the play at length. It has had a considerable vogue, bnt i.t hardly worthy of revival. Tlic reason for the revival"in this case was probablv to give to Miss Ola HTmtphrey an opportunity that was not afforded her in ' The Squaw Man.' It may be eaid at once that her Glory Quaylc at His Majesty's Theatre last night was a fine performance. She depicted the character with sympathetic insight, and showed herself to be an emotional actress of smgular ability. Her methods are direct—American— -and in tho lie.'mer scenes sho showed a restraint that was remarkable. The b% scene in the play is the one where John Storm cotoce to Glory's rixrnis at midnight to kill her. and where she turns him from'lris purpose by sheer voluptuousness. Mi>fi Humphrey thoroughly realised this scene, and played H wiSi passion and abandonment that keyed the audience to tense emotion. The honor* of the act, as of tho piece, fell to her, and slk: received an enthusiast.!!.' call. Mr Waldron's John Storm was a thoroughly sound and at timee brilliant piece of work, done with characteristic quietness, which onlv added to its forcefulness. The many other characters were admirably sustained br Mr Williamson's fine band of players. Thero was a largo audience. 'THE VIRGINIAN.' This evening and the two following ones ' Tho "Virfcinjan,' as dramatised by Owen Wister and' Kirke Shelle fixrm tile former's noveL will be presented for the time in New Zealand. It is displayed xn four acts—the first at Uncio Heuio'-.i, the second at Judge Henry's ranch, the third at the camp of the horse thieves, and the fourth in Medicine Bow, Wyoming—and is faid to bo a faithful picture of thr- most interesting featirres of tie hook. In the first act tho Virgijnian comes as a gnost to the l«rty at TJode Howie's, in the bopo of becom-ing lielier acquainted with the nr.w 6choolmastrejK, whom he had previously saved from drowning when the stage coacf. was toppling into tho rtver. His advances are, spumed- but he is pcrstiUiit. The r-ecand act, at Judge Henry's ranch, fctiowcs tho Virginiaii io be foreman of tlie outfit, relates his slow bn<- determined progress in U« love :iifair with Molly Wood. <ltscloE>is his well-meant friendship for Stove, and ends with his appointment at the head of the vigilantes to capture the cattle thieves. The third ;ict f=hows the capture of Steve and Spanish Ed in the camp, itnd closes with their hanging, an<l tho last, act brings the characters to Medicine Bow for tho celebration of the Virginian's marriage with Molly Wood. Trajnpas, tho villainous range-rider, is here' drunk, and threatens to drive the Virginian from town. Tlio two meet, and in an exciting dnel after the manner of the West Trampus is killed. 'Fife play is said to bs rich in the froeh. vigorous, active life of the plains, and to include a most delightful love etory with im interminglirig of hunmr that is a. wrfcome relief to the more serious reones and incidents. ' The Virginian ' was a grear success durimr the company's season in Sydney, running for five weeks, and it was a question as to wietluT it or ' The Squaw Man' enjoyed the greater popularity. Mr Charles Waldron will appear in tho name part. Miss Ola Humphrey afi Molly Wood. Mr Hardee Ivirldand" as Trampas, Mr Cyril M.ickay as Stove, and Mr Rapley Holiik>? as Honoy Wiggtn. whilst tho entire strength of t-lv com-pany will be utilised in filling an exceptioiially long casl.