ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7553, 4 February 1886, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

At the Opera House last evening a new piece, written by Mr. Geo. Darrell, and entitled, " Back from thn Grave," was produced. The drama, like most of its predecessors, abounds in sensational scenes and situations, and was very effectively staged last night, meeting with frequent applause from a well-filled lower house. The piece is based upon spiritualism and clairvoyance used as a means of bringing crime to light. The plot turns upon the re-appearance of a man after an absence of 20 years, when supposed to be dead. His wife in the meantime had contracted a second marriage, and he uses his knowledge as a moans to exhort money from her. From motives of revenue he plans and succeeds in abducting Miss Ethel Gray, neico of Mrs. Rivers. This young lady is the affianced wif« of Sydney St. Aubrey, who sets himself to track the whereabouts of the abducted girl until he finds her, and rescuos her from a burning building, where she had been confined by liar captors. Subsequently, when in a trance, St. Aubrey recognises the face of the villain Jeoffrays as the murderer of Philip Carlton. Jeoffreys is taken, and all ends happily. Miss Annie Mayer sustained her part with much grace, showing the true characteristics of a woman, while she was well supported by Miss Tracey. Mr. Geo. Darrell played the character of Sydney St. Aubrey with his accustomed power. Mr. J. P. West was very successful in the dual part of Carlton and Jeoffreys. The subsidiary characters are well filled. The piece was well mounted, and the burning scene in the third act was very realistic. It will be repeated to-night. Miss Annie Mayer will take her benefit to-morrow night in the "Lady of Lyons," followed by the comedietta Matrimony."