THE SILVER KING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7177, 1 June 1885, Page 3

THE SILVER KING.

The arrival of the "Silver King" company has been eagerly looked forward to for several weeks past, owing chiefly to the extraordinary success which has attended the production of this remarkable drama, not only in London and Australia, but in all the New Zealaud towns in which it has been as yet produced. It was not surprising therefore to see a well-filled house on Saturday evening ; the audience indeed waa one of the largest that has ever assembled in the theatre, dress circle, stalls, and pit being crowded, while many were compelled to remain standing during the whole of the action of the play. As we have previously given a sketch of the plot, it will not be necessary to go into details as to the drama itself, bu<> apart from the invariable little accidents of an opening night, especially on such a very limited and inconvenient stage as that of the Theatre Royal, it may fairly be said that the production of the " Silver King" on Saturday night evoked as much genuine enthusiasm and applause from, the large audience present as could be desired by the most exacting stage manager. The hero of the play, Wilfred Denver, was personated by Mr P. C. Appleton, who at once enlisted tbe sympathies of the audience, owing to the free and natural character of his acting all through the play. In this respect alone he stands iv favorable comparison with many artists with probably much more ambitious pretensions. In the delivery of his lines Mr Appleton's manner was singularly free from rant or staginess, although from the somewhat improbable construction of the play there was ample room for exaggeration in portions of the dialogue allotted to him. The penitence and remorse exhibited by him while laboring under the delusion that he had murdered his former rival, Geoffry Ware, were admirably pourtrayed, and hewas frequently called before the curtain as an acknowledgment of his sterling abilities aa an actor, while at the close of the third act Mr Appleton and the other leading membera of the company received quite an ovation at the hands of the audience. The character of Nellie Denver, Wilfred's devoted wife, was charmingly played by Miss Maggie Knight. Nellie's undying affection for her husband, and her anxiety to shield aud protect him from the law when she believes him to be guilty of tbe fearful crime he is supposed to have committed, were all most naturally represented. It is almost needleaa to say* that Miss Knight fully shared with Mi Appleton the liberal appreciation of the audience. Mr Leitch aa Jaikes, the faithful old servant of the Denvers, who followed their fortunes through good and evil report, was also an admirably performance, and the unselfishness ano affection displayed by the old man waf most life-like in its character. Tb<

part of Captain Skinner, the leader of a trio of most disreputable-looking burglars, was in the hands of Mr H. R. Jewett, who will be remembered as having visited Napier with the Pomeroy company a few years ago. He succeeded so well aa the Captain, in conjunction with Elijah Coombe (Mr Robert Vernon), a villainous old marine storedealer who adopfcg the housebreaking profession, that both were heartily hooted by the audience. Miss Kate Douglas made the most of the minor part of Olive Skinner, the Oaptain'B wife, as did also Mibs Jenny Bryce that of Tabitha Dnrbin, the little courtship scene between Tabitba and Jaikes creating hearty laughter. The remaining parts were well caßt. especially that of little Cissy Denver, which was played by Miss Edith Appleton most effectively for ao young a child. Mr Harry Douglas also, both in make-up and acting, was sufficiently repulsive as one of the trio previously referred to, and if we mistake not it was the same gentleman who caused roara of laughter by the manner in which he represented the traditional stage Irishman at the railway station at which Wilfred Denver made his escape. Mr Thompson and Mr Gerald played the parts of Geoffry Ware and Henry Corkett, but the former having been shot by Captain Skinner in the first act, the part was necessarily a small one. The little he had to do, however, was creditably performed. The Boenery was magnificent and elaborate, so much so that some little delay and difficulty were experienced in staging the heavy " sets," and one or two amusing incidents were occasioned thereby. When the Silver King was denouncing Captain .Skinner aa the real murderer ol Geoffry Ware, in presence of his (Wil feed's) wife, a portion of one of the soenei was observed to totter, and even tually fell on the heads of Miss Maggu Knight and Mr Appleton, who, how ever, contrived to replace it __ in iti original position without sustaining an; injury themselves. Of course th awkward inoident was Mowed Jj;