AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 741, 14 May 1886, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

“MI PARTNER.”

This drama was produced at the Theatre Royal Tuesday evening to a very large audience. The piece has already been played in Wellington—some years ago—but the version which was produced on Tuesoay night by Mr Rjgnold’s company is one which was partly re-written and specially arranged for Mr Riguold. The plot, however, is materially the same. Except that the story is an old one, whose identity is but thinly disguised by the variations the author has in this case introduced, the play has an unmistakeable fi wor of the new world. In the firi-t scene we have the “public” which forms, according to Mark Twain and Bret Harte, a rendezvous for the population of the “ city.” In the background the scenery, _as if to chord with the people, is sharp and clear ; and the people themselves are varied in nationality, partial to displays, and exceedingly fond of liquors. Here the typical bush lawyer, who is, of course, a Major, makes his long orations about nothing, and ends by inviting the crowd to drink his health. Here, tco, we have the inevitable English servant, who laments his inability to skilfully concoct fiery mixtures for the delectation of the Californian stomach ; the brisk American female with a fondness for talking ; and the unfortunate Chinaman, who is introduced to make fun bv allowin'* himself to be indiscriminately kicked about at various times. But the types to which the author has more carefully devoted himself are Joe Saunders and Ned Singleton. Saunders is a huge, powerful Coraishman with a very great love for his friend ; arid Singleton a well-educated man with an equal respect for his partner, but lacking the other’s determination and thought. On the former, the play depends. He is in love with Mary Brandon, but the girl favois Singleton, and is about to marry him when he is stabbed by one Josiah Venables. Having compromised herself with Singleton, Mary Brandon goe3 awav to avoid dishonor, and returns to find Saunders under trial for murder. To save her character Sanndets declares that she is his wife, and by way of proof goes through the ceremony with her again. Afterwards, or course, the real murderer is discovered, and duly lynched in order that the play may end up happily. M!r Riguold, of course, was Joe Saunders, and in the character he added another to his list of successes. Gifted with a physique admirably adapted for such a part, Mr Kignold looked a character that might have been sketched by Bret Harte. As to his acting, those who have seen him in such parts know with wbat care and fidelity he depicts them. In the second act, where the mates part in sorrow, not in anger his acting was rea‘ly magnificent ; and in the later stages of the piece the tnaaly and dignified but thoughtful and noble hearted air of bis acting was admirable. Mr Kignold, moreover, was fortunate in having to support him such able artists as Miss Kate Bishop and Mr Hambro. Miss Bkhop had in Mary Brandon, a part which was essentially thankless, and in a sense extremely bald ; but her efforts to present a character were formed upon a better conception, and were better carried out than the part deserved. Mr Kambro’s Ned Siugleton was undoubtedly his best perform, ance here, and perhaps the beat of its kind that has been seen on the stage of tho Theatre. It is quite refreshing to find a principal actor in an emotional scene, performing his part without working hiraHelf up to a frenzy, or ripping a passion to tatters ; and Mr Hambro’s quiet but powerful acting in the log hut scene last night was such as should make a reputation for him. Of the other characters, Mr Meade, who seems to be happy uuder any circumstances, was an intensely amusing Major Britt, and Mr Joe Tolano's Way Lee was a capital performance of the stage Chinaman, Mies Harwood played Grace very nicely, and Mrs Kignold scored quite a success as “Posey.” A word of praise is due to the supernumeraries, who haa apparently been excellently trained, and considerably helped to make the piece a success.