ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12854, 1 May 1905, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ANDERSON DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"THROUGH THE DIVORCE COURT."

The domestic drama, "Through the .Divorce Court," which the Anderson' Dramatic Company presented for the first time at" the Opera House on Saturday night, was received with palpable appreciation by a large audience. This was - due to the successful appeal made to the emotions of sympathetic v " onlookers in the situations evolved. More than to make such an. appeal the author (Mr. Max Goldberg) presumably did not desire, for, whilst his work - shows , undoubted skill in. reflecting human feelings under the stress of pathetic circumstances, ho has not been too particular as to probability. His motive is one of misunderstanding as between a husband and wife —a misunderstanding the non-re-moval of which by the latter wears the air of improbability, but which in compensa-, tion certainly leads to very interesting results. The average playgoer-will doubtless agree that, given a story that is sufficiently absorbing, a stretch or two of the imagination may be passed over. For this reason, and because of other merits in the piece, critical judgment may rest satisfied with merely pointing out the element that lends improbability to the story. The mounting of the drama was exceedingly handsome, the scenery in Act I. being particularly fine. Miss Ada Guildford as Lady Dolores, whose potion in secretly meeting and assisting her half-brother is misconstrued to the extent of resulting in her being divorced, acted tho part with much grace and womanly feeling. In the impressive divorce court scene in Act 3 Miss Guildford provided the climax in a well-judged piece of acting that moved the spectators, and she was by simple methods equally effective in the pathos of the reconciliation scene of the last act. Mr. Geo. Cross as Lord Penarth, Lady Dolores' husband, acted with forceful dignity throughout, and made an excellent impression. Miss Doris Warsaw as Sybil, the littlo daughter of Lord and Lady Penarth, played with a winning degree of naturalness that earned her very warm applause.. She showed decided talent and spoke her-lines (many of which were very touching)- with considerable intelligence. Mr. Godfrey Cass gave a realistic portrayal of a rascally Spaniard, Dolores' evil genius. His acting was dramatic, and telling, and lie readily earned the hot resentment of the audience for the evil deeds of the character he played. Miss Kathleen Lorimer as Lady Hilda, an abettor of villainy, acted well, as did Mr. Wilton Power in the role of Dolores' weak-principled half-brother. Miss M asie Maxwell as a black servant girl put a. lot of humour into the impersonation, and indulged in a remarkably comical laugh on occasions. Mr. J. P. O'Neill had a congenial part as Patsy Rafferty, a inah servant, and created uproarious mirth, particularly in bin burlesque scene in court. Mr. Crosbie Ward as an absurdly grotesque youth also created great merriment. Mr. Edmund Duggan as Lawyer Pettygrew played admirably, bis work in the. court scene being particularly good. Mr. S. Whyte as the opposing counsel in this scene was likewise excellent. Miss Georgie Leigh ford presented an agreeable type of elderly spiustorhood in an artistic and 'sympathetic manner. Mr. John J. Ennis was an entirely satisfactory judge, and Mr. L. Laurence a capable court usher. "Through the Divorce Court" will be repeated tonight and until further notice. - ■ WILLIAMSON REPERTOIRE COMPANY. The Williamson Repertoire Company repeated " lolanthe" on .Saturday night at His Majesty's Theatre, the* delightful fairy opera being witnessed by a large and appreciative audience. Principals and chorus vied with each other in giving the work a sparkling and a satisfying interpretation, and their efforts were decidedly successful. Generally admired were the pretty costumes and the handsome stage pictures. " lolanthe" will bo staged for the last time to-night. It will be followed to-morrow night by that highly popular opera, "The Yeomen of the Guard."