St. John and Hayman Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 439, 30 September 1897, Page 4

St. John and Hayman Company.

"THE VAGABOND."

The St. John and Hayman Company will arrive early on Monday and commence their Hastings season in the Princess Theatre on the same evening, opening in Sims and Pettitt's sensational drama " The Vagabond." This formed the company's initial production in Auckland, where it was favorably received, and ran for five consecutive nights to excellent business. Speaking of this piece the Auckland Herald says :—" Messrs St. John and Hayman's Company may be congratulated upon having made an excellent impression on the Auckland playgoers. From the first to the last the audience was pleased and enthusiastic, though the good was made to suffer temporarily for the guilty, even to wearing the broad arrow, the drama was so well balanced and there was so much of the lighter element, that the ordinary villainy sank almost out of sight, a most presentable and pleasing play being the result. Mrs Harrie Marshall, who comes as the star of the company, is an emotional actress, at once sympathetic and natural. She is never overstrained and permits the situation to force itself rather than force the situation." This clever little lady, in addition to starring, was actually the lessee of the premier theatre in Sydney (Her Majesty's). During the season here Mrs Marshall will be seen in a new role every evening, one of which will be " Camille." She is supported in the leads by Mr Bert Bailey, a very clever and painstaking leading man. Mr Irve Hayman, who has been touring the colonies with his own company for the past ten years, has earned a splendid reputation as a comedian

and character actor, and this has been fully endorsed by the Wellington audiences. The box plan is now open at Mr Hunt's where seats can be reserved ft>r the season. Reserved seats will be kept until 10 minutes after the rising of the curtain.