TWO GREAT DRAMAS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 274, 24 May 1907, Page 3

TWO GREAT DRAMAS.

"The Fatal Wedding" and "The Midnight Wedding," the two successful plays to be presented for the first time in Feilding on Wednesday and Thursday, May 29 and 30, of next week, at the Drill Hall, are leading topics of conversation, and it is almost a safe proposition to assert that the season of Mr Harcourt Beatty and Messrs Meynell and Gunn s famous dramatic organisation will be an assured success. ' The plan opened at Messrs Milson and Coles' yesterday morning, and already quite a number of applications have been received. Patrons would do well to be on hand early. The phenomenal popularity of "The Fatal Wedding" throughout New Zealand on the last tour of the company is said to be without parallel in the history of the Colony. Some interesting facts concerning this wonderful production are culled from a leading daily, which remarks : — " The popular musical drama, 'The Fatal Wedding' celebrated its anniversary in Australia on March 17th. During the period it has been played continuously by Messrs Meynell and Gunn's 'Fatal Wedding Co.' and enjoys the distinction of being the greatest money-maker that has been presented in the colonies. Three hundred and eighty performances of the play have been given in Australia, including matinees, of which two a week were given during the Sydney and Melbourne seasons, in consequence of the enormous crowds at night. The sum of £40,000 has been netted, this average including small towns and larger, about £120 per performance. It is no exaggeration to say that the popularity of the play to-day in Australia remains unabated. The same bevy of 30 children has been with the company throughout. These children are one of the principle features of the play. "The Midnight Wedding,' 1 which will follow this play, is described as a stirring military production, brimful of exciting scenes and dramatic situations — the sparkle of sabres glitter through the play. Startling situations are marked out with a deftness and delicacy of touch that does not preclude, but rather aids excitement. There is said to be a consistency of military tradition that stamps the play as a drama of extraordinary attractiveness. All the old favourites remain with the company, including Misses May Congdon, Dma Cooper, Amy Singleton, Messrs Herbert Leigh, C. Standford, Tom Carman, Rutland Beckett, etc., whilst the additional engagements include Messrs James Lindsay, Conway Wingfield, and Miss Winifred Gunn. do sign, their services *ill be lost to the money-making crowd behind the latest proposal. Matters have now reached a very interesting stage, and it is more than probable the next few days will see further light thrown on the scheme, and possibly establish the identity of the promoters and players who intend to go to England. The declaration which the Rugby Union requires football players to sign before they can ttake part in the North v. South match, has caused a considerable stir, and the result has been'' that the promoter, or promoters of the proposed professional tour to England have been rushing round to secure their* men before their plans are defeated. It is agreed in most quarters that the move is a clever one, and is calculated to strike a big blow at the scheme which has been secretely maturing for months past. The names of a number of men who have been approached are known, and these persons are how being sounded as to their intention to quit amateurism and embark on the sea of professionalism. The names of three wellknown backs are hinted at as likely acceptors of the bait held out. li they refuse to sign the declaration they will immediately be placed iv a compromising position, and if they The Stab is the best advertising medium for the country between the Rangitikei and Manawatu riven, richest block of agricultural country in the colony. PRACTICAL "L.K.G." EVIDENCE.