OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 18

OPERA HOUSE.

The sensational drama “ Cast Adrift ” was produced by the Mostyn-Dalzeil Dramatic Company at the Opera House on Friday, when, despite unfavourable weather, there was a very good attendance. The story in “ Cast Adrift 55 is more continuous than many other melodramas of the same description, and except in one or two minor instances the situations are not of the improbable nature which one has learned to associate with stage representations of this class. As the London shoeblack “ Nibs 55 Miss Dora Mostyn secured frequent rounds of applause, and a very handsome floral tribute. She acted the character of the precocious street Arab to the life, and reeled off slang with a freedom that was infinitely amusing. As the heroine, Grace Lisle, Miss N. Raynham acted with a subdued pathos and feeling which showed her to be- an actress of no small merit, while Miss V. Clayton made an excellent Norah McCarthy, a large-hearted Irishwoman, although she appeared to be somewhat oppressed by the brogue incidental to the part. Miss Gwyn Dallas had little to do as Miss Langdon, but she did that little well. The character of Frank Overton, the faithful lover of Grace, was taken by Mr Johnson Weir in a very capable manner, which earned for him many a welldeserved round of applause. Mr Orlando

Daly was scarcely equal to the part of the villain, Philip Randall, Mr H. Meymott made a very funny ‘‘comic villain” as Popjoy Spipkins. During the progress of the piece songs were sung by Miss Dora Mostyn, Miss Raynham, Mr H. Meymott and Mr Chas. Blake in a very acceptable manner, Miss Raynham and Mr Meymott receiving enthusiastic encores. A numerous audience was present at the Opera House on Monday, when the MostynDalzeil Dramatic Company produced Boucieault’s sensational drama “ After Dark.” The part of “ Area Jack,” a knowing young London street arab, was taken by Miss Dora Mostyn with the piquancy and freedom which have already proved her capability for this class of work, Xu the character of Eliza, Miss Nellie Raynham acted with a subdued feeling thoroughly in keeping with the role, and Miss Gwen Dallas enacted the part of Grace Egerton in a very pleasing manner, Mr D. L. Dalzeil gave a powerful representation of the character of Charles Dalton, otherwise “ Old Pom.” Mr Charles Blake was, if anything, rather too sombre a Sir

George Medhurst. Mr Orlando Daly made a very gentlemanly Captain Gordon Chomley. As Dicey Morris, the Jewish sharper and the comic villain of the piece, Mr Harry Meymott caused much laughter, and gave a capital exposition of the character, while Mr J. Weir received a satisfactory amount of hooting as the evil genius, Richard Knatchbull. The play abounds with sensational incidents, including an attempted suicide from Blackfriars Bridge and a narrowly averted railway catastrophe, all of which were well staged. There is also a concert hall scene, in which songs were sung with great success by Miss Dora Mostyn and Messrs Blake and Meymott. Miss Raynham also gave a very pleasing exhibition of her vocal powers during the evening.