ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8223, 7 April 1890, Page 6

ABBOTTS OPERA HOUSE.

"LITTLE LOR FAUNTLEROY." The play of " Little Lord Fauntleroy " has been so well advertised and so much talked about during the last few days that the curiosity of those who had not read Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett's charming book was roused to an unusual degree, while those who were already acquainted with the novel were no less anxious to see how the little hero would look on the stage. There was consequently a large audience at the Opera House on Saturday evening, on the occasion of the first production in Auckland of "Little Lord Fauntleroy." It is almost superfluous to say that the performance was a rare treat. The story is so sweet and pretty, and appeals so strongly to_ tho deepest and tenderest of human emotions, that it could hardly bo otherwise. The only thing which could have seriously detracted from tho charm of the play would have been its performance by a mediocre company. Fortunately, thepresentcompany is not mediocre, and the various actors are exceptionally well fitted for tho parts they have to sustain. The plot of the play, which adheres pretty closely to that in the novel, is as follows : — The old Earl of Dorincourt has three sons, with each of whom he quarrels and drives from the paternal roof. The two cider sons, who are of little account, die young. The third settles in America, and marries one of the fair daughters of the Republic, for which act he gains the undying enmity of his father, who hates American women. After so mo years the son dies, leaving a charming widow and a brilliant, bright, bouncing boy of 7. When tho comedy opens the widow learns that even the small income which her soldier husband left her has melted away by the rash speculations of a trustee. At that opportune moment, when tho sky is darkest, hope, in tho person of a family lawyer, peeps out of a corner, and tells the doleful widow that the hard, unforgiving earl across the ocean is relenting, and wants her son in order to educate him as prospective heir to the coronet. But the mother is not to live with her boy, though she may see him at intervals. Some of the lad's Republican bosom friends, to wit, Hobbs, the local grocer, and Dick, tho young gentleman who blackens the boots of the public in tho streets of New York, evince much concern about their young hero, Cedric Errol, whose sunny, frank and winsome nature has entirely won their capacious Democratic hearts, leaving tho blessed land over which the star spangled banner proudly floats in order to become ''one of them 'ere haristocrats, what's reg'lar bad uns." Even Cedric himself admits that it is a very serious tiling to become an earl, but promises to be a " good one," with which well - intehtioned commencement Little Lord Fauntleroy starts upon his travels to England, but not before giving a cordial invitation to the grocer and the bootblack to visit him in his new home. In the two remaining sets the scene is laid in England at Dorincourt Castle. The old earl behaves with shocking rudeness, not to say brutality, towards the boy's mother, and refuses to let her live beneath the same roof, but tho boy, by his charming frankness and engaging sweetness of disposition, completely wins his way to tho heart of the proud, soured, and disappointed old nobleman, who finds his better self live again in the generous-minded, bright, and manly little fellow, in whom all the good points of his race dominate. This captivating little chap not only take? by storm the heart of the gouty and tyrannical old curl, but also every other person about the estate, and they become one grand chorus perpetually singing the praises of lie wonderful Little Lord Fauntleroy. The dramatist at_ this point makes a diversion by introducing a flaunting female, gaudily attired in flaming colours and full-blown flowers, that proclaim her character. She says she is the wife of the second son, whom his father lovingly ticks oft as "the beast' of the family. The unspeakable female claims to be Lady Fauntleroy, and her brat the heir of Dorincourt. The plot hereupon thickens to the approved strength, and the crisis in Little Lord Fauntleroy's life awakens the tenderest commiseration in the heart of the tyrannical earl, who is horrified at tho prospect of the family name and estates {Kissing into the keeping of a child born of an unspeakable female. But when matters have grown sufficiently serious, and the domestic scandal has readied as far as New York and tho ears of Hobbs the grocer and Dick the bootblack, these tender and goodhearted people hasten to England to lift the Little Lord Fauntleroy firmly into the saddle, and defeat tho vilo plot hatched by tho depraved female. Dick the bootblack recognises her as the wife of a former mate of his, and whom she deserted, along with her child, in order to take up with the wicked earl's more wicked second son. The conspiracy being thus tho old carl becomes reconciled to Mrs. Errol, and all ends happily. The whole interest of the play centres in Cedric Errol, Little Lord Fauntleroy, whose upbringing in democratic America produces very amusing results when becomes to live wit his grandfather at Dorincourt Castle. The scenery and mounting of the play, although not distinguished by spectacular magnificence, consisting as it does simply of a room in a house in New York and a room in Dorincourt Castle, is rich, fresh, and pleasing. Coming to the characters, the leading part, that of Cedric Errol, Little Lord Fauntleroy, was sustained on Saturday evening by Miss Grace Hopkins, who appears in this role alternately with Miss Olive Berkley. For a child of her years, it is a really wonderful performance. The vim and go, and at the same time tho unaffected naturalness and childish naivete, which she contrived to infuse into the part were really marvellous. In tho first act, which, by the way, is somewhat slow, there is rather too much of mammy's boy—too many curls and ribbons-— the character to bejaltogether satisfactory to, at any rate, the male portion of the audience. This feeling, however, wears oil" in tho remaining acts, which are brisk and full of movement, and Cedric turns out to be a fine manly little fellow, who wins his way into the hearts of all sections of the audience as readily as he does into that of tho fierce old Earl of Dorincourt. It will Lo interesting to see the rendering of the part given by Miss Olive Berkley. The gouty old Earl of Dorincourt was admirably sustained by Mr. Henry Edwards, who is well suited, both in face and figure, for the part. The role of Mrs. Errol, though a prominent one, does not give much scope for the display of dramatic ability, the principal requisites being good looks and a pleasing manner. Miss Ethel Winthrop, who took tho part, possesses both those necessary physical qualifications, and in addition considerable histrionic ability. Her acting was both natural and pathetic. Minna was splendidly played by Airs. Louiso M. Berkley. Tho vulgar, bounciblo adventuress could not have found a more admirablo exponent, and the last touch was added to tho character by a most diabolical wink with which she emphasised her assertions. Mr. \V. H. Leake gave an oxcellent interpretation of the part of Mr. Havisham, the old family solicitor. The role of Mr. Hobbs, the democratic American grocer, found a good exponent in Mr. George Leopold, and the part of Dick, a New York bootblack, was creditably tilled by Master Quealy. Miss Docy Mainwaring, as Mary, the Irish servant of Mrs. Errol, Air. E. Gladstone as Higgins (a farmer), Air. F. Cambourne as Wiikins (a groom), Air. George Selth as Thomas (a footman), Air. Mr. M. F. Kemp as James, and Aliss Irene Darrell Jane, gave excellent renderings of minor parts. There is one other performer who deserves mention, a magnificent Newfoundland dog, who appears in act. His part was also a minor one, but ho was greatly admired by the audience. Applause and laughter were frequent all through the play, and at the conclusion of the first and second acts tho principal characters were called before the curtain. Judging by its reception last night, there is every likelihood of " Little Lord Fauntleroy" having a vory profitable run in Auckland.