ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 217, 15 August 1918, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

A. J. C. WILLIAMSON ATTRACTION

KATHLENE MacDONELL.

“ ROMANCE.”

Playgoers will doubtless remember with pleasure Miss Kathlene MacDonell, the brilliant American actress, who with Mr. Charles Waldron made so favourable an impression in “Daddy Long Legs.” The fact that these exceptionally fine artists are returning and will appear in another play, if possible even more famous, at the Municipal theatre, Hastings, on Wednesday next, under the J. C. Williamson management, will, probably be hailed with satisfaction, tne play in question, “Romance,” comes with the very best of European and American reputations. Picturesque and poetic, it is said to be a masterly exposition of the dramatist. With Laura Keene in the rolo of the fascinating. prima donna of the sixties, the play has had a great run in London. , lo I meet its popularity, it has. during the J past three years been transferred suc- | cessively to three theatres. Romance is I described as a powerful passion purified by love. It has a suggestion ef “The Christian about it, in that a young clergyman, albiet not of the John Storm order, comes into contact with the theatre. The grand ojtera singor he tails in lovo with is very different, however, from Glory Quale, although both have the artistic temperament. The author of Romance is. Edward Sheldon, a young university graduate. According to the critics he brings together effectively, and with a welcome touch of originality, two such dissimilar creatures as an idealistic Anglican vicar, arid a materialistic prima dona, who had as much claim as hud Camille to be forgiven “because she loved so much,” but who nevertheless found in the 1 worship of the young clergyman, the spur that sent her through tho rest of her life on the’stepping stones of hor dead self, striving tho attainment of higher things. Tne final act in which she rebukes the young clergyman for that he claimed for her only what other men had done, and sends him away abashed, is said to be a remarkable tour de force. The story is told with a prologue-and epilogue. The three main characters are, the singer, tho vicar, and Cornelius Van Tuyl, an elderly banker, upon whose relations, with tho beautiful, prima donna, tho ship of love is wrecked. There are many subsidiary figures,- giving tho atmosphere of the times and needing special adaptability on the part of the artists and the pru-| ducer. Of the playing of the two prini I cipal. parts report speaks highly. 'Thu portrayal of the fascinating Margherita I Cavallini, the heroine of the play, by; Miss Kathlene MacDonell is said to be especially. powerful, and unlike anything the gifted, lady favoured us with on the occasion of the previous visit. Also it is affirmed that as Thomas Armstrong (Rector 'of St. Gilei), Mr. Charles Waldron is extraordinarily well suited, resulting in a performance of uncommon and, virilo artistry. The interpretation of this remarkable play will be in the hands of a specially selected company.