“ DARK DAYS.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7926, 8 November 1886, Page 2

“ DARK DAYS.”

A dramatisation of Hugh Conway’s novel, “Dark Days,” was produced at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, for the first time in Wellington, by Mr Wybert Reeve’s com. pany. Like “Called Back,” “ Dark Days ” is very sensational, and there is a good deal of similarity in the plots of the two books. Both of them, however, make excellent dramas. If there is a failing in “ Dark Days ” it is that the climax is too abrupt and sharp. One villain is killed out of the way iu the third act, and the confusion and mistakes necessary to the preservation of interest in the play are kept up by the heroine being accused of the murder until the fifth act, whore villain number two confesses to the crime, and the curtain descends suddenly on the familiar picture of virtue triumphing over villainy. Otherwise the drama is a very good one, and the frequent change of scene makes it very attractive and bright. It was capitally staged, although the continued fall of snow (whether the scone was laid iu the Supreme Court or under the blue sky of Italy) was rather incongruous. But as regards the scenery and mounting generally, there was nothing to complain of. The snow scene, where the murder is committed, was beautifully mounted, and the Supreme Court scene, with bickering lawyers, solemn and learned judge, attentive jury, is also dosarv. ing of praise. As to the acting, there is no fault to be found with it. In Sir Mervyn Ferrand, Mr Reeve was seen in a rather new line, that of the well bred sarcastic villain, and his performance of the , part was one of the best he has given us in Wellington. Mr Lawrence s William Evans (aptly described as “a groom and a rogue”) was a very fine representation of a character part. Mr Lawrence has a happy knack of concealing his own identity and clothing himself with that of the character, whatever it may be, he is playing. His business is always appropriate and always well done, and bis acting is of the very best class. Mr Brian Darley played Dr Basil North very well indeed, and Mr George Forbes had in the Honorable Percy Portland one of those parts which fit him so well. Mr Cecil Kingatone deserves credit for his Mr Grilling (counsel for the Crown), for be played the part capitally, and really looked and noted like a lawyer. Miss Lucia Harwood’s Philips Lafrauge was one of her very best performances. Miss Harwood improves on acquaintance, and seems to make each part “ a critique on the last.” Miss Emily Fitzroy’a Ethel Brabonrne was vary well played, and Miss Paget gave a capital representation of Mrs North, a lady with good intentions but defective English, As a whole “Dark Days,” which will be played three nights, is a capital piece. It has all the elements of a successful drama, and in the hands of Mr Wybert Reeve’s Company loses nothing,