THEATRE ROYAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12647, 6 January 1904, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Savieri Company produced a dramatic version of Marcus Clarke’s famous novel, “For the Term of His Natural Life,” at the Theatre Royal last night. There was a good audience, who were much interested in the performance. The novel, as all colonial readers know, tells the story of an unfortunate man shipped out to Australia in the bid convict days. It describes his suiferings of body and mind in most realistic fashion. 'There is hardly any relief to the profound gloom of the picture. The dramatic version is, of course, not quite so painful an affair. Relief is found in the behaviour of the convicts, who are a very humorous set of persons, and of their spiritual adviser, Mr Meafcin, who would have made the lot even of a convict a thing of joy at all events for

" wine. me piay opens with a prologue which sets out the circumstances under which Rufus Dawes was convicted, and then goes on to describe the life at Port Arthur, the escape of the mutineers; and the subsequent adventures which lead in the end to the freedom of the hero. Mr P. Savieri was exceedingly humorous as the hypocritical parson Meakin, and caused much amusement. Mr Paul Clifford played the part of the villain, Captain Maurice Freere, with considerable effect. Mr W. Basil Leon and Mr Geo. Kensington made a creditable appearance as Rufus DaWes and his associate, John Rex. Miss BettertonGlover found in the character of the adventuress, Sarah Purfoy, good scope for her 4 emotional talent. Miss Laura Brandt as Lady Devine and Miss Foley as Sylvia were well suited, and the minor parts were adequately filled. To-night the favourite Irish comedydrama, “The Colleen Bawn,” will be produced.