AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

“IN THE RANKS.”

Mr Rignold and bis company must have been thoroughly satisfied with the audience who as enabled Monday night in the -heatre Royal to witness the first performance in Wellington of the well-heralded drama “ In the Ranks.” The number of persons m the Theatre was unusually large, and from the first they showed the strongest disposition to be pleased with the entertainment presented to them. Most of the performers are old favorites, though there have been * some changes in the company since it was last here, and the audience on Monday showed by their reception of the principal members that they had not forgotten those who had formerly proved themselves good artists. We published a sketch of the plot of the piece at some length the other week, and it will be remembered that it gave all the materials for a good and effective play. Though there is nothing that is strikingly novel in the story, it is interesting, and there are many pathetic and striking situations. It is.not sought to work up the excitement by indiscriminate slaughter, as is usually the case in the modern sensational drama, and t “ er ® 18 a pleasant absence of rant and would-be heroic declamation. The demeanour of the audience on Monday night was evidence enough that that it is not in the least necessary for authors or players to violate nature and good taste m order to give pleasure. Many parts of the piece no doubt are chiefly spectacular, not helping on the action of the play, still the spectacle is so appropriate and so artistic, that it inspires none of the feeling of irritation at the delay which oneal waysfeels during irrelevant displays in the course of a drama. The actors share of the work was exceedingly well done. I he performance of several of the ladies and gentlemen engaged was conspicuously meritorious, and throughout there was seen the result of that watchful caie which Mr Rignold evidently takes, that nothing great or small necessary for tbe sucoess of the performances shall be neglected if he can help it. Mr Rignold himself as Nei Drayton, the adopted son of Colonel Wynter, has a part which suits him exceedingly well. The character is, if anything, a little too for frail humanity, but still virtue throughout is manly and vigorous,; and in Mr Ri<mold*a hands has no tendency to become namby-pamby. His acting has always delicacy, although, as he showed on Monday he can knock down his man with a vigorous heartiness worthy of the best Englishman. Miss Kate Bishop, as Ruth Herrick, had a fairly good part, and played, as she always does with much taste and feeling. In the lighter part in tbe first act, while the heroine’s circumstances are prosperous, her acting was pleasant and graceful, and afterwards she showed much power. Mrs Rignold s makeup as Mrs Buzzard was wonderfully comic, and her whole performance displayed her striking ability as an actress in comedy. She ia a lady of much versatility, and in this, as m every part she has played in Wellington lastly won the appreciation of her audience by making th‘.m heartily merry. Mr Tolano had a capital part aa Joe Buzzird, and played it with great humor. In addition to the heartiness of the fun, his impersonation of a faithful, honest, humble friend, was decidedly artistic. IVIr Isaacson, as Bichard Belton, had the task of playing the villain of the piece, and drew upon himself the most vehement hoots, groans, and hisses—unpopularity in his case being the surest proof of merit. Mr Cath- [ cart had not a very great deal to do as Colonel Wynter, but what he had_ he did very well. Mr Hambro, who is a most capable actor, had hardly a congeuial part as Captain Holcroft, but male the most of it. It would not be fair to forget. Miss Mary Anderson, who played very prettily as Barbara Herrick. The scenic arrangements, costumes, grouping, and general mounting of the play were probably the best ever seen in Wellington. The wood scene in the first act was very fine, and that at the church was gay and pleasant. The changes of scene are very frequent, and the mechanical arrangements by which they are effected, though they must necessarily be extremely troublesome to work, run smoothly. On Monday, even though it was a first Jappearance, there were only one or two hardly perceptible bitches. The situations are particularly realistic, and that in the barrack yard with drill going on, sentries parading up and down, iB wonderfully like tbe real thing.* The interest taken in the piece was unmiatakeably genuine, and rose with its action. Time after time the chief

performers had to appear before the drop scene to listen to the most vigorous applause. In all respects the drama is to be highly commended, and it will no doubt continue during its performance in this city to win the appreciation of Wellington audiences. It is a play possessing much interest of a good healthy nature, is skilfully and conscientiously acted, and its accessories are everything tha- tbe most exacting spectators could expect or desire. ___

The audience at the Theatre Royal Tuesday night to w.tness the second performance by Mr G. Rignold’s Company, of the drama In the Ranks,” was, if anything, even larger than on the previous evening. Long before the curtain went up the sale of tickets of admission to the lower pact of the theatre had to be stopped, as there was not even standing room for any more people. In the dress circle also the audience was very large. The play went exceedingly smoothly, and the elaborate mechanical contrivances ror workthe changes of sceoery worked without the least hitch. The spectators evidently enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and entered into the soirit of the play with the utmost heartiness. The performers had to appear before the drop scene at the conclusion of several of the acts, those who had played the virtuous characters to receive unbounded applause, and those who had impersonated the oppressors of virtue, to be hooted to thei heart’s content. A second representation fully confirms the opinion already expressed ot the high merits of the play, of the ability with which it is performed, and. of the admirably artistic manner in which it is placed on the stage. m , “In the Ranks” was repeated on Wednesday night to a crowded house.