THE DAMPIER COMPANY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVI, Issue 248, 29 October 1892, Page 2

THE DAMPIER COMPANY.

Tho announcement of a Shnksptarian performance by tho members of the Dampier Dramatic Company attracted a largo audience to thcThoatre Royal yesterday evening, when selections were given from Romeo and Juliet and from Hamlet, The company came to Nelson unprepared to play Shnk"spe.u'p, only sonio of the principal members having with them the necessary wardrobe?. Notwithstanding this there was littlo sign of hurry or unpreparedncss yoster.lay evoning. The drcsaes were handsome nnd appropriate, and tlure was no deficiency of scenery. Tho selections from both plays were admirably given. Mr Rolfe had not appeared previously in Nelson iu a character .vhich suited him so well as that of Romeo, His appearance, tijfuro, manner, and everything else an; iu his favour, and whether in tho graceful love-unking passages or in tho parts whero Romeo is rent with grief, he showed himself a gonuino actor. Miss Lily Dunpior wrta charming as Juliet, acting with great delicacy nnd, where necssiry, with much force. Tne balcony scene was paiticulurly gruor-fiil, and won the entire approbation of tho nudience, Mr Holloway in tho by no means easy part of Friar Lawrence was at (lie wune time vigorous and dignified. Miss Julia Merlon Is an excellent actress, a* she has shown every time Hint shu has appeared hero. As the muse she played admirably, and nothing was wanting in the .scenes between her and Juliet. In the selection from Hamlet the leading pail, was of course taken by Mr Dampier, who played it in a manner whijh showed {.'real) natural powers, cultivation, and long study ol' the particular pail. ll is voice is an unusually line out 1 , and is under the most perfect command, ami throughout he thorougnly portrayed tho liiiu gentleman that Hamlet is in the play. There were .several variations from traditional reading, sumu of which were improvements and about others of which opinions may dillcr, but nothing was done without a purpose which showed independent thought. Altogether as a piece of acting and elocution Mr Oiunpier'.s performance was an unusually line one. Miss liorfe Dampier was Ophelia, and played very well, though sometimes there was a dillienlty iu hearing her words. The part is au exceedingly (litlicult one, and involves a jjreat .strain on tlio actress. The young lji'ly wuig tho music in the uiad-sceue very prettily. Mr A. llarford in Horatio hardly seemed so much at home as iu parts in which iic has appeared before. Mr llolloway's make-up as the Uhost was oapitil, and tho words of tho departed Kiug'a spirit were spoken with the proper .solemnity, and yet without monoL my. Miss Morton again phyed with groat effect aa tho Queen. Air xlalfe as L icrtes had not a grout deal to do, nor had Mr Hosier and Aliss Billon ns fir^t and second actors, but all filled their parts well. Air Dampier and his company deserve thanks for tho kind way in' wnioh at short notico thoy agreed to givo u Slmkspearian performance, and for tho pleasure which t'.uy gavo their audience last night.

Tiiid evening' fclia company will nppear for Hie list time in Nulsjd, the pieoo salecfc.fl foe rcprcaeutatiou being ''Eaafc Lynuo," Tho version ia one adoptsd from tho novel by Ml- Dampier, ia whioh ho has relieved the gqnerol iiielftuohQly of fcho etory by uumoroua touches o£ comoay, This makes

tho play muoh more enjoyable fchnn tlio vorsion go.ierally represented. In order (o give tho country people nn opportunity to attend tho pirformame tho lnte train from town will bodehyed till a quarter to eleven o'clock. On Monday the company will leave Nolson for New Plymouth, aud many people hero will wish it success wherover it may go,