ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13278, 10 September 1906, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

MacMAHON dramatic COMPANY.

The MacMahon Dramatic Company, which opened an Auckland season at His Majesty's Tlicatro on Saturday evening, was greeted by a large house, and the opening production, "Our Guardian Angel," was receive*! with' every demonstration of approval. This piece, which was thus presented for the. first time in New Zealand, is described «3 a nautical drama, written by Clarence Burnette; it is melodrama in the first place, but it is a distinctly good attempt to get away from the stereotyped form, and, although the inevitable will is included, tho story has decidedly more in it than the average of the category, while the author lias wisely left a little to the intelligence of the audience. A melodrama, in which the villain and his female accomplice are unmasked in the first act by the man they think they are deluding. and arc foiled at almost every turn throughout the piece, is somewhat novel, and therefore all the more acceptable, and when there is added to this feature seme really good humorous work it is scarcely necessary to say that the audience thoroughly enjoyed the production. Briefly told, the story opens in a room in the bungalow of Mr Massey, of the shipping iinn of Massey and Xnngwill, at Surinam, where the maid Sarah is engaged in an effort to keep peace between Joe Peggs, a British tar, Wan Lee, the Chinese lanndryinan, and Sambo Pilkin». r. back cook, each of whom she has flirted with at different times, and thesa four supply the humour throughout the story. 'Lucy are interrupted by the entrance of j Cora Zangwill, who is presently joined by- j Captain Dunham -Mas-sty. nepnew of tli3 head of the firm, and those- two say stittieieiu, when left together, to reveal a very nice little plot. The nephew has ingratiated himself so much into Mr. Massey's favour that the- latter has agreed that his daughter Lucy shall marry the nephew, who shall then receive all the property. Lucy, however, is in love with a Lieutenant Daryll, who is thereupon forbidden the house- byMr. Massey, and while the captain is let alone with Lucy he. attempts to force his caresscs upon h.r. Then Lucy's ayah, tho half-caste Zaida, who is "the guardian angel," appears, knife in hand, and the captain is forced to listen to some home, truths. When evening comes Mr. Massey enters ilia room to make his will, leaving everything to the nephew, and, having completed it, retires behind, a screen to his desk. While lie- is engaged there the nephew and Cora Zangwill enter the room, and are overheard discussing their plans. Ordered to leave the house by Mr. Massey, tney attempt- to attack him, but are compelled to leave at the muzzle of his revolver. The captain, however, ' sneaks in later, and treacherously murders his uncle-, and subsequently accuses Daryll of tile -murder, but Zaida halt witnessed the tragedy, unci by a. clever trick obtained possession of the will, necessary at the* coroner's inquiry, and the irrepressible- Jack Tar, Chinaman, and negro appear, to give evidence, and take possession of the court. Then the captain manages to get all the witnesses on board the Neptune, and, while at sea, scuttles the- ship, in order to drown them all. and escape- with his confederate in a boat ready provisioned. A year later the captain turns up at Mr. Massey's London house, declaring himself the possessor, and that Daryll was dead. Zaida who, with the rest, has been rescued from the ship's boats by a P. and <). liner, arrives at the right moment, and cleverly defeats his claim by using the will on which lie- based it as a cigar light for him, he believing it to be- another and former one, leaving the property to Lucy. Lucy is then trapped in a coiner's den, and Daryll is strapped to a ladder to have his eyes burned out. by a hot iron.- but Zaida, who has assumed the garb of a crazy hag, is on the. spot. Gambia, her husband, turns up, and there is a dramatic- rescue. The. captain is tent to Portland prison, but escapes after some years, ami attempts' revenge by throwing Daryll and Lucy's child in front of a reaper, but is shot by Gambia. Mr. Alf. Boothman played the part of the captain to such good purpose that lie was greeted by an excited chorus of groans from the gallery, some members of the audience seeming almost to forget they were only witnessing a play. It was a strongly-drawn character, that of an uncompromising. scoundrel. without a redeeming feature, and Mr.- Booth man interpreted it with a fine appreciation of its possibilities. The part of Daryll was taken by Mr. Charles Blake, who represented thecharacter as that of a thoroughly manly hero. Mr. Edward Xable, playing as Joe Peggs. was responsible for some, decidedly good work in the humorous line, in which lie- was j ably seconded by Mr. Maurice Lynch r-i i Wan Leo, ami Mr. Fred. Coape as the black i cock, this trio being singled out for special favour by the auo'ienc?.. The part of Zaida : was in most capable hands, having been al- j lotted to Miss Helen Fergus, whose per- j formance was one of the features of the pro- j duction. Her representation of the crazy I hag was particularly good. Miss May Gran- I ville. played well as Cora Znngwill. Miss J Oriel llot.'on was well cast as Lucy Massey, and Miss May Henno as Sarah Greene was t a general favourite. There were many 1 other characters in the cast, all ably repre- j sented, and the company as a whole is a ! strong and well-balanced one. The scenic ; effects were good, including a rescue at sea and a scene in a Devonshire wheat field, the latter being particularly artistic in arrangement, and inducing the audience to call the scanic artist on to the stage. "Our Guardian Angel" will be presented again this evening. OPERA HOUSE. Fuller's Minstrel and Vaudeville Company submitted the weekly change of programme at the Opera House on Saturday night to a good attendance. Most of the artistes in last week's programme appeared on Saturday night, hut they all gave new turns. "Victor Loydall and Miss Rosa Berry made their first appearance, and thov an? musical comedy artists of considerable ability. heir sketch was decidedly clever. Miss Berry snug a number of songs in Chinese. which won for her warm approval. Mr. Loydall is ati exceedingly interesting comedian. and his humorous savings and actions were the cause of much merriment. The coon and comic items of the first half of the programme were in the hands of such capable artists as Mr. Aubrey Douglas and Mr. Carl Collier. Miss Dorothv L'Kstrangc (soprano) sang "May Day" and I'm Wearing Mv Heart Away for You (with beautiful illustrations). The Four Rosebuds appeared on both parts of the programme, and their songs and dances, as usual, were highly appreciated. ~ The Carmos made their lust appearance, and their exceptionally clever juggling and balancing feats were warmly applauded. The Mascotto Sainoan Siva Troupe made their last appearance. The Driscolis, who liave been appearing for some considerable time at the Opera House, were as favourably received as ever. They were several times recalled. Monagiian and Slieehan, musicians, gave a number of their choice and appreciated selections 011 the post horn, piccolo, piano, comet, banjo, etc.. and all were played with ability and expression. Mr. Val. Newton sang well "The Deathless Army" and "Good-bye, Kathleen." With the Warwick bioscope a number of new pictures were shown. Tonight a number of new artists will appear, including the two Starrs (serios and dancers)! Stella Vernca (ballad vocalist), while Clara Keating will make her reappearance.