Dramatic And Musical

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 215, 13 August 1904, Page 11

Dramatic And Musical

By Footlight.

WELLINGTON, suffering fiom earthquake shook, did not roll up in large numbers to see the Woods-Williamson Company, in "Gates of Bondage." The play and the playeis deserved a packed house, for nothing stronger and with moie human interest hi been seen on local stages for a long tl me The dramatic P°f^ ltie ri^j frankly the impossibilities— of Hall cS' "Deemster" have been b. ought out wtth exceptional skill in Mips Wilhlson's P lay?and the oljief paints are played with an intensity that stns the blood and lifts the hair. i * * One admnes the Dan Mylrea of the play rather more than the Dan of the book, and the same may be said of Mona Mvlrea The wayward bishop's son, alternately passionate as fire and tende. Sawtan, is played with intense feeling by Mr. Alfred Woods who makef a picture of the knife fight with STi^that would be difficult to excel His horror at the accusation oi the cousin that he has disgraced Mona, Ins passionate appeal to him not to fight for the honour that has not been smirched, the ultimate fight, and his awful victory, are vivid memories. * ■* * Stiongest. of all is the end of the fight, when Ewan Mylrea falls dead killed by the knife of his best friend and ■cousin. Dan's sportsmanlike otter to shake hands, his disposition to make it up and has ultimate discovery that the duel has been "a la mort," and his despair, are magnificently pourtrayed Weak, however, is his assumption of joy immediately after the slaying, when ne finds that Mona will still stick to him. He forgets too soon for there to "be anything real about it. * * * Ultimately, he is tried— the weakest scene of all. The Deemster tries him and sentences him to death. The trial commences with the prisoner absent! The prisoner comes in midway, and gets handcuffed, and pleads guilty. They still go on taking evidence! Then, the Bishop, by right of his barony of the Isle of man, deposes the Deemster, and tries him again ' The absurdity of that open-air oourt is apparent to the youngest gallery boy. * • * Miso Williamson, as the staunchhearted Mona, shows a sell-abnegation and a steadfastness that are strikingly natural. The scenes with her scapegrace lover gives her opportunities for the exhibition of that quiet powei which is the chief charm of her acting. Mr. James Mai tin, as the Deemster, was sufficiently crabbed, and Mr. J. A. Lambert, as Ewan, the victim of Dan s knife, "died" more vividly than is usual. As I say, that scene stands out as the finest thing in the production. As the Bishop, Mr. A. W. Boothman was a little loud and a trifle stiff. He makes a better villain than parson. « • ♦ Mr. J.C. Bryant, as the Governor of the Isle of Mam, and suitor for the hand of Moea, plays with vigour, and the comic part of Horny Begg is made excellent use of by Mr. Ben. Linden The true-hearted Davy Fayle of Mr. P. Savieri stands out among the minor parts, and the cast includes no wasters. Frankly, the Woods-Williamson people deserve very much bettei tieatment than they are getting. * * * Dixs Gaiety Company pursues the even tenour of its way undisturbed by tie great events that are shaking up this terrestrial sphere. The Japs may lose ten thousand men, but Freddy Graham smiles. Joe Chamberlain may talk of taxes on flour, but Leslie Foiest warbles in a coupfe ol good voices about "Three Little Words" ("I love you"). The British may Maxim the gentry of Lhassa, but Fanny PoweA delightful comedy urges one to forget such far-off events. Even though E. M Smith is reciting his very best poetry in the House, there is no undue rush for seats, Dixians being content to listen to Louie Perfect trolling forth n simple melody the sweet old "Hush-a-bye, My Baby," for "baby" is more popular on the vaudeville stage than elsewhere, and a "Perfect" exponent of the tuneful infant is always welcome. *» * * Mr. Jay W. Winton, who is conceded by the programme to be earth's great-

est ventriloquist, is an exti actor of pleased chuckles. Every night McGmty, the gifted wood and wire gentleman, has a wordy battle with his manipulator, and the series of timber relations keep the fun go;ng briskly forwai d. The Angelos are drawing Mr. Seddoui and less prominent celebrities and royalties with promptness and despatch, and the comedy part of the "turn" is of a highly refined and diveiting nature. * * * Fred Graham's excruciating little sketch, "Music Hall v. Stage," is a happy contribution of comic ti agedy and vocahsm. As a noble tourist, Fi ed is quite as funny as he knows how, and Miss N. Dent, who is one of the very few ladies now in the colonies who hare the least idea of fciue comedy, is a very real help in urging the dyspeptic to forget his woes and join the thiong of laughers. * * * Mr. Leslie Forrest, who is a comic waater, is not entirely overwhelmed by the gifted pair, and is eminently helpful in the laugh-production depaitment Mr. Wallace Asoot sings with much soul "My Beloved Queen," and "Only a Soldier Boy." His fine voice anid easy style have made him very popular Miss Florry Leigh is a song and dance artist of merit, and the whole concludes with a screamer, "Family Jars." * * * Fuller's Entertainers, at His Majesty's Theatre, have no longer the great wrestling "draw," but they attract the crowd just the same. An attractive utem of a good programme is the exce'lent "turn" of little Miss Eileen Capel, who is an unusually clever mimic. Hei latest imitation is one of Hennetta Byron, in the "Bismark Grenadiers." In action, sang, and dance Miss Capel gets very near to the gifted comedienne she imitates. Her dance is a particul'aily clever one. * * * Miss Kitty Lenton has re-appeared, and is coon-singing. She is billed to sing one song, "In Zanzibar," and she is nuaide by the audience to sing five others, which is a fair criterion as to hei popularity. The McAuley Sisters, in their song and dance item, "Roll on, Mr. Moon," tell some interesting stories with te/rpsichorean trimmings about that sly old fellow. * « ■» Zamoni, as usual, is extracting music from oow-bells and billiard cues, and othei- odds and ends, and is assisted by "Weary Willie" and his leetle dawg. Miss Lulu Eugene, also a coon singei , tells about "My Blushing Rosie," and wriggles sinuously after the style of coon cantaitrices the world over. She is going away. So is Will Stevens, who has been filling the atmosphere with oomio songs. The screamer this week is "Razor Bill." * * * The skates at the Rink had a little trundle round on their own last Tuesday when the earthquake snook things up, but the skatas with feet in them are still more numerous than the untenanted ones. The winter pastime still entrances its devotees, whose number is daily growing, until Mr. MacMahon wishes he had another acre or two to build enough rink for enthusiastic learners. * • * Wirths' Oircus have been doing the Westralian goldfields. The brothers showed to a £523 first-night house at Kalgoorlie, which is a record for the goldfieldfl.

Miss Ella Abdomah is Bft. high, and it is because of this she is touring the colonies. She is said to be good-look-ing. It isn't often one has the opportunity of seeing so much female loveliness in one heap. It is said she will occupy a large space on local boards before she lightly flits towards Europe once more.

The repertoire of the American. Travesty Stars includes Hoity Toity, Hoop-do-do, Whirligig, and other more or less English words. Madame Melba is the only woman who has received the royal decoration of Science, Music, and Arts from the King. Languages are possibly included.