"A RUNAWAY GIRL."

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 42, 20 February 1903, Page 3

"A RUNAWAY GIRL."

- The advent of /the "Williamson cult, is quite a notable occurrence in theplay-j going annals of these parts, and the ! production of " Ajßunaway Girl" last night marks' the highest theatrioal.. standard that has yet been presented locally. Anything with the William^ sonian hall-mark is of the best quality, and the crowded audience, of last night witnessed such a performance as might be seen in the Australian cities. The performance was on a reduced scale, of courlel l but ; the modifications -were only what were absolutely necessary to the stage limitations. All the scope at command was used to a wonderfully full extent, and, bearing in mind the nature of the. j surroundings, the ; play was a triumph of stagecraft. Such a brilliant production has not before been achieved v- intheHall. The mounting of the.piece was excellently done* the scenery,which represented in the first place an almond' orchard near the Convent of St. Pierre, 5 then the quay of Ajaccio, and finally the grand canal of Venice, being characterised by a layishness of detail and warmth of colour that attracted much admiration.- The dressing.was of a handsome and varied description; and the general effect of the lively movement of the play was a fascinating series of kaleidoscopic changes of many hued tints. The piece was presented by a strong combination, whose inter J pretation was a pronounced- success. From the opening scene in. the Convent from which" the sprightly Winifred Grey Tan away to escape from the designs of her stern guardians to the happy denouement in. which she appears united to her lover with the approval of all parties, the interest' and humor of the" audienc j were fully exercised ; and a generous measure of appreciation was attracted for the musical merit of the tuneful comedy. Miss Lillian Digges carried out the title role with a brightness and charm that won for her warm favor, and she was accorded repeated encores for her musical renditions, among which wore ' " Sly Cigarette," *' The Singing Girl," the duet her lover, "There is no one in the world like you," and the oddity " The Boy Guessed Right." - A capital sketch of Flipper, the jockey, "on whom much, of the fun-making devolves, was given by Mr Fred Graham, who scored liberally in " The Man from Cooks." Miss Rose Musgrove, who appeared as Alice, Lady Goodie's maid, and divided honors with Mr ■ Graham, contributed materially to the * life and movement of tbe production, and her musical numbers, especially "The Dutch' Dnet," sung, with \Mr Graham, were very acceptable. ' The well-known " Soldiers of the Park? - was the greatest hit of the evening, Mis* Elsie Moore and her handsomelydressed military chorus being recalled . several times. A very effective character was that pourtrayed by Mr C. R. Bantook, who created much amusement as Brother Tamarind, who accompanies the runaway girl from the convent, a.nd is mixed up in the entanglement with musical brigands. Mr Arthur Crane, chief of the - " banditti,". sang in acceptable style, "Sea Girt -Land of My Home." Credit, was won by Mr Ernest .Mozar, as Guy Stanley, the lover of the runaway .-. girl; he employed a pleasing tenor in ' some well-rendered musical numbers with' Miss Digges. Good work: wasndono by Miss Agnes Kelton in the ' amusing, role of Carmenita, an Italian street singer of London birth, and by " the many other members of the cast. The principals had;the support of a strong chorus, a capable ballet, and an orchestra the number and .calibre of which were in keeping with the general excellence of the performance.