"THE CHRISTIAN."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11797, 28 July 1900, Page 8

"THE CHRISTIAN."

On Monday evening an event of dramatic importance will take place at the Princess Theatre, in the production of a dramatised version of Hall Caine's great religious novel " The Christian," the hero, John Storm, being impersonated by Mr Walter Bentley. Other versions of this book have been staged in London, America, and Australia, but Mr Maddos, -the present adaptor, has not, as the others have done, interpolated extraneous matter, relying solely on the book itself, as will. be seen by reference to the synopsis of scenery and, incident published elsewhere. The prologue shows us the departure of John Storm and Glory Quayle from the Isle" of Man. The first- act introduces us to.the London Hospital, of which Storm is chaplain, arid in which Glory is a nurse. Wo are then taken to the green room of the Frivolity Theatre, and to the Gethsemane Monastery, Storm's exp sion. from which ends the second act. In the third act we see a Derby dinner at the Corinthian Club, and as a second scene Glory Quayle's rooms at the Garden House, Clement's Inn. Here the climax of the story is reached in Storm's attempt t"o kill Glory, and her successful resistance, which overcomes him. The final act is laid in the sacristy of St. Jude's Church, Westminster, where the disappointed mob break in and kill Storm, and his marriage to Glory and pathetic death brings down the curtain. From this brief description the powerful nature of the drama, will be seen, and from our contemporaries in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch we learn that John Storm, Mr Bentley's latest creation, has been a pronounced success. The part was, of course, designed Dy Mr Maddox for Mr Bentley, and report ■ says it fits him like a glove.,. The Rev. John Storm is a clergyman of democratic tendencies, in a Pharisaical surrounding, and there is much scope for effective acting. Of the large cast supporting Mr Benfcley, the principal part is Glory Quayle, which is enacted by Miss Woodhill. -There are some beautiful scenes, which heightens the absorbing. interest of the play, and no doubt, as is always the case here, Mr Bentley will have a successful season. Mr Bentley's visit will bs strictly limited to six nights.