AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14440, 5 February 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

THE TITTKLL RRUNE SEASON. "THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST." After a. prolonged period the Princess Theatre was again las! evening a centre of true Thespian entertainment, the opening production of David Belaseo's "Girl of the Golden West." by a dramatic company under Mr .1. 0. 'Williamson's direction, with Miss Tittoll Brunein the title role, attracting a audience. The play is worthy of llie pains taken in its production, is interesting even lo the extent of being arresting, and eomirarcs veil with the \ns\ of dramas of its type previously staged here. The type is distinctive enough, awl is reminiscent in scene of "The Sipvavt Man" and "The Virginian," fo quote later Williamson productions. That is to say, the characters and their surroundings are such as Bret Harte delighted to draw—tho sheriff, the road-agent, the miner, the greaser, the half-breed, the saloon, and so forth, not, of course, excepting the one woman for miles around. When it is :-aid that "The Girl of the Golden West" holds the interest firmly by its strong situations, for is a- distinctly powerful drnma, by its picturesque setting, by it.s glimpse* of the irresistible comedy that is always lurking on I he outskirts of tragedy, and by its introduction of some delightfully (piaint aspects of human nature, much has Ihicu said in its praise. It cannot be denied, moreover, tho quality of cleverness. The playwright has clothed the story in effective, not to say, at times, emphatic, language. There is no very serious en'ort to avoid excursions over the borderland of melodrama, and there is sentiment enough, for those who are partial to it, to suffer total immersion in, Human nature is revealed, as might Ik! expected, in its rugged a.nd not in ils polished moods. The heroine is of the uncut-diamond order, and the big-hearted, rough-tonguod type of worshipper at the *hrine of uncultured feminine beauty always presents an effective stage appearance. The play is finely staged—the scenery being of notable excellence—and it is remarkably well acted. Tlte undoubted success of tho production needs no further explanation. The story is ati interesting variation on an old theme. Tile gallantry towards the fair sex of highwaymen, bushrangers, and road-agenls is presumably an accepted pathological fact. The Girl in the drama under discussion is a good girl, who keeps a saloon "'out west," and is adored mere or less by every ferocious digger and greaser in that particular corner of the Sierras where l\cr lot is cast. The fact that the sheriff, aji imjwsing creature, has a. wife in New Orleans does not in t.lie least deter him from proposing to take the Girl as number two. It is left to a mere road-agent, a thief whom the sheriff in pursuing with a hangman's rope, to win the golden .heart which tho heroine has not ivjen prepared to exchange for a host of lionest men's devotion. Johnson, the road-agent, has. however, a way with him that the others have not. Tie. Girl has a way of reaching up—after better filings—and so has Johnson. She loves him before she finds out what lie is and he accepts her as a step-ladder to reforma-' tion. Interesting and exciting episodes are introduced in Johnson's daring invasion of tho saloon, where he beards the sheriff and his crew, his visit to the Girl's cabin, where he is tracked by a posse on the. trail of the man he really is, and the discovery of his presence there by I he sheriff. In a very strong scene the Girl learns of the identity of the man to whom she has given her heart, and, torn by conflicting emotions, she saves his life for the time being by a daring hazard at poker with the sheriff, who is a bom gambler. The outlaw escapes, but is caught again, and at the point whore the halter is ready for him, the "boys" of the mining camp, finding out what his life really means to the Girl, force tho sheriff lo stay his hand, and, in a spirit of magnanimity that, does them credit, see lo it that the ex-road agent and his bethrothed leave the cam)) without let or hindrance bound " beyond the far hills' purple rim " for a new life in a new land. A very lino tableau of dawn upon the boundless prairies across which the twain have travelled hand in hand puts a finishing romantic touch on a picture which is a strange mixture of humorous, tragic, pathetic, sordid, and uplifting elements. Miss Tittell Brnne was cordially received on her reappearance. She had a very onerous role to sustain, but a part congenial in the light of previous successes achieved along similar lines. Her portrayal of the Girl of the Golden West was n consistently strong nml clever study, marked by many distinctive individual touches. Her expression of the untutored, unrestrained, but lofty character of the heroine was an artistic effort of pronounced merit throughout, merging into real strength in flashes of power, in scenes of social tensity, such as that in which the Girl first discovers the deceit and porlidil.y of which her lover has apparently boon guilty. Miss Bi-une has very able support, moreover. Mr Thomas Kingston's tried histrionic capabilities proved thoroughly equal lo the heavy demands of tho part of Johnson, the road-agent, and he acted naturally and forcibly throughout, never allowing the part to lapse into a colourlessness of which it might not he in-' capable in less skilful hands. He rose particularly well to I he occasion in the strong scene in which Johnson is called upon lo plead extenuating circumstances. An outstanding character in the play is Jack Ranee, the sheriff, a man of sinister, taciturn, uncouth, and imposing personality, revengeful and yet not lacking in a certain conception of how the game should bo played. Mr George Bryant gave a most tolling study of the |»rt. the heuvy jowl, the dour visage, and the abominable laugh all contributing to creale a strikingly effective stage personality. Among the other members of llie company who deserve special mention were Mr Loring Pernio, whose impersonation of llie Girl's swaggering, chivalrous admirer, Sonora Slim, was in forcibly clever ami refreshing relief to the types already mentioned; Miss A. Kelly, who appeared as a squaw of the usual imperturbable order; and Mr Leonard Willoy, as Nick, the faithful bar tender. But I he subsidiary parls, which are most effective in their contrast of curious types, are without exception admirably sustained. The scene depicted in the saloon, in which a large measure of the action take 6 place, are to a degree picturesque and animated, and if the language of the characters is at times vigorous and highly coloured, il is after all bur a shadowy reflex of what might he expected under such circumstances. The comedy of (.he play crops out at odd times here, there, and everywhere, but an outstanding humorotr, interlude is that provided in the scene in which the Girl presides over-1 he final assembly of the Camp "Academy." in which the miners attend school under circumstances of irresistible drollery. The two stage pictures which serye to intrqdisee the arena ijj which.the

(lranm is laid are remarkably (inc examples of the scene-painter's ml assisted by ingeutiily of mechanical presentment.. "The Girl of the Golden West " scored u distinct success in evoking the demonstrative iipprcciation of the amljenco, and will be produced again this evening.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. I Last night the programme that has proved so acceptable | 0 large houses since the opening of the season was repealed. There was a audience, who manifested their delight in the numerous fonts of ski" by according the pcrlormcis the heartiest •'•pplitii.se. To-night the programme will be submitted for the last time, and to-morrow night there will be an entire change. Mr Owen Clark will present Mr Maskelyne's mystery of "Oh." in which a man disappears while members of I ho audience are holding his hands. "The Artist's Drenni" is a magical romance, the verse lieiim by the late Mel. H. Spiirr, and the illusion by Mr Devant. Mr Barclay Gammon will introduce a new musical interlude, and Mr Ginlaro a novel exhibition of the ail of lop-spinning and balancing. The programme will conclude with Mr Devanl's illusory playeltn "The Enchanted Hive"

WTDFcWCffiU) PICTURES. The Witff-World Pictures are again being showii in Ihe Alhaiubra Theatre, and last night, despite this change and four very strong counter-attractions, Ihe entertainment attracted a large audience. The programme (which was changed last evening) contains the lirsl essentials of « few hours' amusement—brightness, interest, and mirth.—and the manner of its arrangement relle.cts credii upon Ihose responsible. The pictures being .shown Ibis week include one thai (it is said) cost n picture syndicate some thousands of pounds to prepare. Il introduces an inventor whose sole ambition is that a new motor ear he has built should come first in » certain great race. lie is the victim of foul play, bill, his daughter lakes charge of the car and wins the race. The picture is unique in some respects, and shows a number of smashes and otherwise abounds in sensation. Auolhev excellent picture illustrates whale-hunting in Ihe South Seas, the series of views giving the spectator unusually close insl ruction regarding this dying industry. "Argentine Sugar Plantation" illustrates a somewhat similar theme, and Ihe. "Custom Officer's Fiancee" and "The Custody of the Father" are a dramatic series of consider-

able interest. With Ihesc pictures ore shown many tlmt the ordinary audience always welcome—the comic, whimsical, or freak films. Among the best, of these is I hat called "An Kleclric Hotel," which shows how everything an ordinary human may require is done by electricity, and the disastrous results that follow a mistake on the part of the sn-iMim.in. Others designed to create a laugh, and eminently siiccevful in lli.il respect, are "The Burglar's Joke with (lie Doll," "How Jones Oof. His Suit." and ",\ Bad finch of Snuff." "Silhoutles" nm\ " The. Fiddlevs'' are pretty i pictures of ihe magician order, and "Training Ship I.a Bmlague" srivos a number of interesting views of life nn board a warship. The same series of pictures will be shown f.o-nir/lit.

WTRTH'S CIRCUS. Another large audience filled Wirth's huge lent at the Oval last evening, when the programme was again successfully carried through. Anolher performance will be given this evening.

THE MALLINSONS. Few English song-composers are better known than Albert Mniliiison, and u rule opportunity is afforded the Duncdin public at the present time of hearing the gifted composer's works interpreted imclw his own direction. A more entirely delighted audience has rarely listened to a concert programme in a local hall Ihan that which heard Mr and Mrs Albert Mallinson in their song-recital here some two months ago. Both Mr am! Mrs Mallinson aro artiste in the real sense of Ihe word, and. while Ihe individual talent of each would claim its recognition anywhere. ihe felicity of Ihoir performance is accentuated in their co-oprralion in a recital in which there is a sympathy and understanding between Iho composer-pianist and the interpreting vocalist such as can only be met with under the rarest, circumstances. At their recital on Monday evening in the Burns Hail the famous nriists will interpret a number of songs entirely now to Dunedin. This will bo positively the final appearance of the Mallinsons here, as (hey are shortly leaving for Europe to fulfil engagements there. The box plan is at Iho Dresden.