“THE TWO MEN OF SANDY BAR.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5678, 11 June 1879, Page 2

“THE TWO MEN OF SANDY BAR.”

The “ Two {Men of Sandy Bar,” tho production of the celebrated American author, Bret Harte, was placed upon tho boards of the Imperial Opera House last night, the attendance being very good, although the dress circle was not so well patronised as might have been expected, considering the merits of the present company. The principal interest of the play centres in Alexander Morton, junior, who ia known in the first part of the performance as “ Diego, the Vaquero,” and whose prototype can frequently be seen in the worn-out species of the geuus loafer, to bo found in the old workings of the Australian goldfields. When tho curtain first rises it discloses Diego in the capacity of a menial to one Don Jose, who occupies what the Americans term a “ ranch ” on the borders of the United States and Mexican territories, and who is, as might be inferred from his name, of Spanish origin. During the, time that Diego is at the ranch an old mate of his on the diggings, named John Oakhurst, but whom he does not, recognise as his old companion, gets a surreptitious introduction oo Donna Jovita Castro, daughter of Den Jose. The old gentleman becomes aware that his daughter has formed an attachment for same person, and strongly suspects Diego, whom he commands to leave the “ranch." This order he readily and coolly obeys, but not before he has given some good advice to tho Donna Jovita, whom he strongly advises not to forsake “ a father whom she knows for a lover she Joes not know,” with the usual result in such cases, that the Donna believes he ia in league with her father against both her and her lover. Just as Diego is taking his departure from the domains of the old Spaniard, his father, Alexander Morton, senior, has arrived at the “ ranch,” accompanied by his legal adviser, Colonel Starbottle, an eccentric old nentleman, who is apparently as ready to try conclusions with powder and bullets as he is with legal quips and cranks. The father has travelled thousands of miles in search of his prodigal son, whom he has not seen for over twenty-five years, and through all the old diggings, such as Poker Flat and other classical localities so much prized by those in active pursuit of the precious metal. The old Spaniard, as is customary in his country, orders the gates to be locked, and the keys delivered up to his guest for the night. By this means Old Morton becomes aware of the attachment between John Oakhurst and the Donna Jovita, for he hears a noise, and discovers Oakhurst trying in vain to open the gates, of which he has the keys, and failing which he scales the wall in search of Donna Jovita. The lovers have just arranged the preliminaries for a flight, after Oakhurst has confessed that he is but a disreputable gambler, when Old Morton steps in, and declares that such a thing shall not be. It then enters into Oakhurst’s head that he will personate Sandy Morton, whose private history is so familiar to him from the old acquaintance which subsisted between the latter and himself for many years, until Oakhurst severed the bonds of what was more than a brother’s love by inducing Sandy Morton’s wife to prove unfaithful to her husband, and to elope with him. A little Tichborne history then developes itself, and Alexander Morton, senior, accepts John Oakhurst as his long-lost son, and promises to make every reparation to him for the;,early treatment and education which he received, and which made an outcast and a wanderer of him. They both take their departure for New York, where Old Morton has become a banker ; whilst Sandy, the real son, wanders again back among his old ' haunts at Poker Flat and lied Gulch. He is not long at the latter place when a strong attachment grows up between him and a Miss Mary Morris, a schoolmistress at the Gulch, and who is almost idolised by the rough diggers, and even by the poor dissolute characters, as a bright star—-as a kind of oasis between the wilderness of their lives and a' better world. Mary, who is always termed “ Miss Mary,” is held in such veneration - by these uncouth men that every one of them looks upon himself as her special protector, and woe betide him who dare offer her even the slightest insult. She is very fond of flowers, and Sandy scales cliffs and precipices in order that he might procure her some ■ of those “ mountain children,” of which she is so fond. Old Morton has behaved badly with Mary's parents, and sends the eccentric and selfimportant Colonel Starbottle in search of her, and with an offer of a home and a handsome competency. Mary at first refuses with indignation, but Sandy strongly advises her to accept him, telling her not to throw away her life after the sand and dirt of -the claim like him, because she was the “ pure gold which had been washed out.” During this time the person whom Sandy had made his wife, but who had been previously married to an escaped convict named Pritchard, comes to Mary and beseeches her to take a son who had been to school with her, and the presence of this woman has such a terrible effect upon Sandy that, although he has not taken any drink for some days, he gets into a state bordering upon madness, and with fierce gesticulations exclaims, “ I’ve got them—l’ve got them again,” meaning thereby the delirium tremens. Eventually Mary decides upon going to the home of Old Morton, and Sandy, after some more wandering, decides upon following her thither, aided therein by Concho, who was major-domo of the ranch at the time Sandy was there, and who, although professing no love for the latter, yet has an inveterate hatred towards Oakhurst, who threw him from the wall of the mansion of Don Jose, and crippled him for life. After a lot of trouble, Sandv at length gets into the house of his father ; Oakhurst confesses that be is not the real son, and makes all possible reparation. The father and son become reconciled, as do the two old loving mates on the diggings ; and the play finishes with Sandy (or Alexander Morton, junior, as he will be known henceforth) marrying Mary Morris, the schoolmistress, who turns out to be a near relative of his own, and John Oakhurst receives the hand of the Donna Jovita from her own father, the gallant old Colonel Starbottle being left out in the cold, after an ineffectual attempt to win the heart of Mary Morris, The interest of the play was well sustained throughout. The dialogue was more Sprightly —as mmht have been expected from the fame of the author-than it happens to be in many of our modern dramas and comedies, albeit a little broad and rough at times, from the fact of the actors and scenes introduced. Mr. D’Orsay Ogden played the character of Sandy as only a good actor can do. John Oakhurst received full justice from Mr. Theo. Hamilton, who brought out all the bad points, and the few good ones, of the character with the finish that only a genuine artist can give ; whilst the part of the Donna Jovita Castro, it is almost needless to add was played by Miss Beatrice in fir,t-class style. The eccentric old Colonel Starbottle could not have been entrusted to much better hands than Mr, Dauiells, although in a few instances the acting might be considered rather over done. Mass Bronton acted the part of the simple schoolmistress very well indeed, and Mias. Greenless took the part of maid to the Donna Jovita in a way which showed that she had a true conception of the part entrusted to her.All the other characters were well sustained, including that of Alexander. Morton,; sen., which was creditably rendered by Mr. Joyce; and the part of Don Jose was very well represented by Mr. Fisher. A very pleasing part of the entertainment was the singing of the “Spray of Mignonette” by Miss Beatrice

in the first act, and “ Good - bye Sweetheart” in the fourth act. Both songs were well'rcceived by the audience, and showed the capacity of Miss Beatrice for song, as the play proves her to bo an actress who improves well upon acquaintance-. We must not omit a word of praise to the band for the first-class music discoursed during the evening, under Mr. Spiller’s leadership. The opening overture of “ Triomphale,” and the selections from “ Der Frieachutz,” were in themselves a rich treat.

There will be a matinee performance of “ Ten Nights in a Bar-room” on Saturday afternoon, for the convenience of families and children. The admission to all parts of the house has been fixed at the low price of one shilling for adults, and sixpence for children.