Fitzmaurice-Gill Company

Hastings Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 4151, 10 February 1904, Page 2

Fitzmaurice-Gill Company

The French Spy was played last night to an enthusiastic audience. It is a high class drama depicting Russian espionage, the French Spy and members of the English Embassy in St. Petersbuigh. The enacting part of Spy was taken by Miss Fitzmaurice-Gill. It is a part affording full scope to her wonderful powers. The suppressed excitement, deep emotion and self sacrifice of Andre de Loriac are represented with marvellous fidelity. Where the missing papers are entrusted to her, and later when she announces that she cannot see,," I am blind " is thrillingly realistic. Mr Charles Blake, as Captain Somers sustains his part well. It is one demanding the powers of a good actor, powers which he possesses. In the Council Chamber, when confronted with the doubt as to whether or not he would be denounced as the murderer of Petros Romanoff he showed the supprr ssed excitement followed hy intense relief, which the situation suggested and yet did so whi e not called upon to titter a word- Count Romanoff (Mr Wilton Power) takes the part of an unscrupulous, scheming Russian Nihilist, working for his cause and at the same time to avenge the death of his brother, bis only redeeming trait being his perverted love for Andre de Loriac. He sustains a difficult part with the utmost iidelity. Miss Nellie My.rae p ays the part of Olga Romanoff (his wife) and so excellent is her acting of a cruel heartless woman that the audience are carried away by the scene. Terry O'Eitz, Mr E. B. Russell, is excellent right through—especially in the concluding acts where he fights for and aftei wards protects Andre de Loriac. He, with Nicholas ! Kuibbs, Julie Simmons and Alexis Spredoff appear in light and amusing comedy between the scenes, each doing much to amuse the audience. The various other characters were well sustained. To-morrow and following evenings the company appear in Napier. At the close of last night's performance it was announced that on Tuesday evening next they would give that famous sporting play " Flying Scud " in Hastings.