THE OPERA HOUSE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8543, 25 March 1908, Page 5

THE OPERA HOUSE.

" THE ""iiUMMY AND THE HUMMING-BIRD."

The irresistible attraction at all times possessed by dramatic combinations oi' merit was most convincingly demolish ated last evening when Mr Herbert Flcmming's company inaugurated a tooshort season at the Opera House. The company has, comparatively, only rcecnily arrived in the Dominion, and brings with it "a full series of new pieces, that chosen for last night's performance, the peculiarly-named " The Mummy and the

Humming Bird," being one oi the present English succcssc3, while our Australian cousins were also not slow in recognising the many merits of the production. The plot of the piece is not unique in its conception, but. in its details it makes a powerful appeal to the sensibilities of the audience. Its salient points have already been published, consequently there is no need to recapitulate.' based upon the play of human passion, the piece points with directness to the possibilities that may follow, even in tha average human life, upon a tooclose attention and keen absorption in a hobby, to the exclusion of the intimate social intercourse and affectionate attention that a' wife has the right to expect from her husband. There is, of course, a strong vein of sentiment running through the pU>", but divested of that it pointed a moral that was plainly i

apparent. The play itself is a play for j; a trio, though in its introductory stages ! scope is given for useful work by Lord : Ronalds and Mrs Ruth Thornton, hoiv- : over, all the serious work devolves upon three principals. Miss Beatriee Day as Lady Lumiey, Mr Flc mining as Lord Lumiey,. and Mr Homewood as Signor d'Orelli, the polished villain of the plot. In its varied and diverse intricacies Miss Day's part permits of a brilliant success, and it is barely necessary to state that in her hands that result was assured. Her delicate treatment of a most difficult character not only won for her the plaudits of the audience, which was perhaps not wholly, in sympathy with the exactions of the role, but stamped her as an actress of exceptional histrionic ability. To the high standard set by Miss Day Mr Flemming responded with an ease and capacity that was a striking feature of the performance. There were several sides to the character he . represented, each naturally requiring different presentation, but each was most naturally pourtrayed, and the performance generally is one of Mr Fleinming's best. His comprehension of the possibilities of his part was absolute and fulfilment was to the letter, his scencs with Lady Lumlev in the final stages of the piece being especially dramatic. Mr Homewood was. a particularly able exponent of the character of Signor D'Orelli, the fascinating villain of the production. His persuasive scenes with Lady Lumiey wore cleverly executed, and he treated the audience to a performance in which a high standard of art was displayed. Mr Varna's representation of an Italian organ-grinder, "".Guiseppe," was most successful, the audience appreciating his excellent work. Minor characters were pleasingly sustained by Miss Clarens as Mrs Ruth Thornton, who appeared to great advantage in the early progress, of the piece; Mr Mallalieu as Lord Ronald, and Mr Winter Hall as Judson. The piece was staged in excellent style,, every attention being paid to detail, while the costumes of Miss Day received the full meed of appreciation due to Parisian creations.

THE RED LAMP. This new play, by W. Outram Tristram, which will be seen for the first time this evening in Palmers.ton, is a story of Nihilism and assassination in Russia, the scene of action being laid at the palace of General Morakoff in St. Petersburg. This handsome building ovorlook.s the Neva, and the heroine of the play, Princess Claudia (Miss Beatrice Day) is lirst seen surrounded by friends

end guests who have oome to one of her grand receptions, whilst her husband is away hunting up his Imperial Majesty's enemies. The difficulties and dangers that beset her in endeavouring to reconcile loyalty to the throne and her husband with affection for her brothei —who is deeply implicated in Nihilistic plots— fcrm the themo of the play. There is plenty of incident, and many of the situations arc tense and exciting, tho third act. at the meeting-place of the conspirators, being especially powerful. In addition xo the Morakoffs, the most important figure is a certain Paul Demetrius, of the secret service, who almost from the time ho enters upon tho scene takes a firm view of the situation, and brings tho desperadoes in close contact with the iron grip of the servants entrusted with his Imperial Majesty's welfare, and the many methods adopted to prevent Nihilism spreading in the Czar's dominions. —