AMUSEMENT.

North Otago Times, 2 December 1910, Page 4

AMUSEMENT.

SWEET NELL OF OLD, DRURY,

There was 'an impression that Miss Nellie Stewart had made a tactical mistake in returning to OaMani with "Sweat Nell of Old Drury" instead of one of the many other pieces included in her repertoire. It was thought that the result would be an indifferent, if not a Poor,' house, But prophesies in that direction were bdied, for a capital audience assembled in the Opera Houy'e last night to greet tlia popular actress in what is admittedly h*r ■greatest dramatic impersonation, It was as Nell Gwynne, if wc are not mistaken, that Miss Stewart established her claim to a place in the 1 front rank o! dramatic artistes, as she had already done as the lyric artiste. If anything her impersonation of the character has improved by frequent repetition.' Misj Stewart pourtrays the constantly changing moods, of Nell Gwynne with the ease and grace of the finished artiste, and her audience last night recognised the high merit of the representation, applauding or'laughing heartily as the mood of the moment demanded. Mr Harcourt Bcatty, as Oharle3 11., presented a capital picture of the Merry (Monarch, and received a full share of the hearty recognition of high merit. Mr Charles Laurence, newly returned from, America, with a record of successes, presented Lord Jeffreys the detested Lord Chief Justice, in a guise that left not the dislike in eny doubt. At times he was over'boisterou.s, but in his .quieter and more sinister moods he was admirable. As Sir Roger Fairfax Mr George Thome, junr., was scarcely as convincing as he might have been in his more dramatic scenes, and could, with advantage, infuso, a little more force into them. None of the remaining characters stand 'out conspicuously, and they were generally efficiently filled by the members of a large company. The piece was excellently mounted and dressed, and a small, but capable orchestra, added something to .the pleasure of a performance that proved highly gratifying to the large audience. MAJOR PERRY'S BIORAMA. Mr perry, well known in connection with the far-famed Salvation Army pictures, showed to a very fair house last evening in the Druids' Hall considering the counter attractions, The pictures were all good and new and many of them were much appreciated. Indeed one ol the most amusing pictures we have yet seen, was' that of thti boarding school. The pictures acconipaned by the cinephone were also good, and it was wonderful how the 'phone' kept in tune with the movements of the 'lips ol the singers on the canvas. Mr Stevens sang a number of songs very pleasingly, To-night there will be an entire change of programme, and we strongly advise those in search of two/ hours' amusement and instruction, to visit the pictures.