ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9325, 30 March 1889, Page 5

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

"Missing at Lloyds'" was withdrawn at the Opera House, last night, to give place to the emotional drama of " East Lynno," which is billed for three night, and, hackneyed as the play is, it drew an excellent house. Mr. Vivian's company was evidently on its mettle, for the manner in which the piece was staged and played displayed careful study and thorough rehearsal. Miss Helen Vivian sustained the dual role, of Lady Isabel and Madame Vine in a thoroughly finished manner, and' few who had seen her hero in her former representations could realise the extent of emotional power which she evinced last night. In every phase of the intricate part she was womanly and natural, at least a3 natural as the part would admit of, and in the fourth act, the dying scene of her son, she displayed tragic powers of a high order, while in the finer traits, such as her contemptuous loathing of her deceiver, and her humiliation before Lord Mount Severn, she displayed a keen appreciation of. her condition. Indeed, from first to last — and the last is that horrible death scene — Miss Vivian displayed powers as an emotional actress which few expected, and she was deservedly recognised on several occasions by the applause of the audience. Mr. W. G. Carey played the role, of Archibald Carlylo with much dignity, and without exaggeration. Mr. Arthur Vivian, stepping into a new line, pourtrayed Sir Frances Levison with all the eagerness of a lover, and the insolence of a roue, and ho made a great deal of the part. Mr. Harcourt, as Richard Hare, was a little out of place, but Mr. Griffiths, as Lord Mount Severn, made a great deal of a small part. Miss Wilton made up and acted prettily as Barbara Hare, and Miss Christina Tennyson fairly threw herself into the shrewish character of Cornelia, and was repeatedly applauded. Another role, which is especially deserving of notice, is that of the child part of Nellie, played by little Rose Andrews. It was a really finished impersonation, and without exaggeration may be pronounced to be the best representation of the part we have seen here. The staging was fairly good, although there were some effects which might have been judiciously introduced had time allowed ; but on the whole we may congratulate the company on the successful production of " East Lynne," and hope its reproduction to-night and on Monday night may increase the takings of the treasury. " The Woman of the People ; or the Horrors of Drink " is underlined for Tuesday night).