"Harbour Lights,”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 83, 22 December 1887, Page 2

"Harbour Lights,”

With reference to the appearance here to-night qf tip Leitch company, an Auckland paper has the following on the piece to be produced (“Harbour Lights )On Monday night there was the beat audience we nave seen in the Opera House for many a day all parts of the house being well filled, The piece ia contrived on the mbst attractive., lines of sensation drama. It is full of sensational incidents, but they are so naturally interwoven in the plot that they hardly seem surprising, and the whole dratfia—scenifi, emotional, and comedy—runa together into an harmonious whole, the scenic effects and changes are simply admirable, and the mechanism left nothing to be desired. The change in the second act from Captain Nelson’s cottage to :M orland Hall was a masterpiece, and the numerous changes, mostly mechanical, in the fourth followed with the sensational rapidity of a kaleidoscope, the storm scene being especially good, and the welcome harbour lights, which open the fifth scene were strikingly vivid. The cutlass exercise on board the Britannia is perfect as an exhibition of skill in the use of this weapon, Mr H. O. Sydney sustained what is the leading role of the drama, that of Lieutenant Kingsley. He is an actor of great expressive powers, free from the rant and license the part would give opportunities for to a less cultured actor, and even in the blood, and thunder scenes of the pl Ay he maintained a careful conscientious idea of the part which prevented the slightest approach to mistake. It is not such an easy thing to go through such a strong cast of characters as appeared in “Harbour Lights" last night, and draw attention to the main characteristics. They overcrowd each other, and yet there are such fine situations, deserving of special comment and recognised by the audience that one is at a loss to begin or end. The characters are comparatively small in comparison with Quartermaster Tom Doßsittef. In this cha* racter Mr Leitch fairly revels. It is not an impersonation—it is a realisation of the better portion of the British tar, foolish it may be and extravagant, but filled with an honest integrity which shines through his rough exterior in spite of, and unknown to himself. His comic humour, mixed with keen and accurate judgment, are wonderfully combined. Any description of his performance would prove abortive. It must be seen to be appreciated, but we may confidently say that in none of his great characters has Mr Leitch made a more marked success, good as he has been in all the others. A great line is opened in the drama for the lady members of the company. Miss Alice Norton, who plays the leading role, “ Dora Vane> ” isan accomplished and graceful actress, Her figure ornaments the stage, her natural artlessness is affective and lady-like, and she invests the heroine with grace and dignity. Miss Emile Bevan playa Lina NeJaon, the victim of Frank Morland, and invests the role with dramatic effect. Miss Flora Anstead. is simply immense as Mrs Chudleigh, and Miss Rosa Brandhani as Foggy Chudleigh the affianced of Tom Dossitter, played with a thoroughness and vim which enabled her to divide the honours with Mr Leitch. The minor parts were filled in with care and discrimination, and the play was in every respect a pronounced success. The audience after the first act fully entered into the spirit of the play. At the close of the second act all the principals had to appear before ths curtain, and in the subsequent acts recalls were frequent.