HANS THE BOATMAN.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 185, 21 August 1888, Page 3

HANS THE BOATMAN.

OPENING PERFORMANCE IN GISBORNE Mb Charles Arnold opened for a short season last night, in McFarlane’s Hall. There was a crowded house, and the Company fully sustained the high reputation which had preceded it. The enthusiasm was most intense all through, and the profuse bestowal of bouquets upon the performers was a particular mark of the appreciation of the audience. There was, in the performance, pathos to touch the hardest heart; dramatic interest to take the fancy of the student; the old love story for the young ; and for those who can wish for something beyond each of these, there was the great power which Mr Arnold possesses over the children who figure in the drama. The representation of the deep and earnest feeling was pleasantly alternated with the liveliest and purest of fun.

The plot of " Hans the Boatman ” is extremely simple. Hans is an easy-going, light-hearted, yet honest and lovable, fellow, and enjoys above all things romping with children. He is in the employment of old Yank Thursby (Mr W. H. Leake), a boatman of the Adirondack.-?, who has a pretty daughter called Jeff. A wealthy merchant, Mr Farwell (Mr Gladstone), and his daughter Gladys (Miss Alice Norton) come on a holiday trip to this resort, and are joined by Lieutenant Finch, U.S. Navy (Mr Bryant), and Darrell Vincent (Mr Stuart). Hans falls in love with Gladys and the Lientenant with Jeff, who, however, does not return his love, having set her affections on Hans. Hans woos Gladys and marries her, and they live together in the boatman’s cottage, where a son is born. Glady’s father, the rich merchant, disowns her after hearing of her marriage with Hans. Becoming weary of poverty, and anxious to be reconciled to her father, Gladys listens to Darrell Vincent, who persuades her to leave Hans, promising to restore her to her father, and she goes away with him. It would take up too much space to tell how Hans loses his eight, and how he and his wife are brought together, and the important part played by the dog “ Lion,” and the best ad. vice we can give our readers is to go and see the piece if they have not already been. The first scene between Hans and little May Hannan fairly brought down the house. The dialogue caused a great deal of amusement, the little mite acting her part admir. ablv. Miss Jessie Gray was much admired as Jeffie, and those who witnessed her acting could not fail to be pleased with it. Miss Alice Norton msde a great hit as Gladys, and was equally as good as the romantic young city lady as in the subsequent parts, in which she suffers so much misery and remorse. Mr Leake as old Yank Thursby has but little to do in the piece, but he did it capitally. Mr Stuart as the villain, Vincent, performed his part satisfactorily, and Mr Bryant and Mr Gladstone as the bashful admirer of Jeffie. and the father of Gladys, were equally good. Master Gardiner as Little Hans played his part cleverly, and everyone was delighted with the passages between him and the elder Hans. Of Mr Arnold's acting it would be impossible to say too much. He had the entire sympathy of the audience from the time of his first appearance with his boatload of children to the closing scene, in which he is reconciled to his wife. His acting with the “kiddies” was very natural, and the children themselves gave proof of this by their unfeigned enjoyment of the piece, The dog “ Lion " must also be accorded his share of ths honors, and he is by no means a minor character in the performance. His love and attachment for his afflicted master was a touching spectacle, and the noble appearance ot the animal was much admired. In its special character the performance could eclipse anything previously seen in Gisborne, and the popular taste has been hit with a nicety which means complete success,