AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14699, 6 December 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

WILLIAMSON'S DRAMATIC I COMPANY, f " Sherlock Holmes.''

The revival of a good drama, or a good comedy is almost certain to be welcomed by an audience both numerous and appreciative. That is the rule, and Saturday night's production of "Sherlock Holmes" by Mr J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company at His Majesty's Theatre proved no exception to it. It was not a crowded house as far <is upstairs was concerned—in fact, the circle was net too' woil patronised, —but that is a condition of thing* that only too frequently obtains, even on an opeiiln9 ntg-hr, with high-priced companies. Still, the attendance was a., largo one, and appeared to be very favourably impressed with the dramatisation of some of the Stirring scenes in the life of the famous detective created by Sir A. Conati Doyle, and with the manner in which Mr company presented them. This was quite justified, for the lierforimineo was, gonerally speaking, a most commendable" one. With the presentation of "Sherlock Holmes" by Mr Cuyler Hastings's Company still fresh in the mind of the public, those fitting the cast on Saturday night had to rise very considerably above" mediocrity Wore t.hey could hops to satisfy expectations. It is one of the penalties imposed upon thoso who tread the same, ground lately trodden by artists of exceptional ability. Comparison is inevitable among an audience,- nnd no doubt some of those appearing on Saturday night lost by the comparison, though perhaps not. io a material extent. Others again placed the characters they represented before the audience in quite as strong a light, and with quite, as much effect, as they have ever been. As a matter of facl, it. is understood that in one or two instances the original delineator, as far as Dunedin is concerned, appeared. One thing in the performance was most remarkable, and that was the close resemhlancc between the conceptions of Saturday night and those of two or three years ago. Everything was the same, oven to make up and placing of the stage furnishings. It was no doubt, an instance of how two companies of really talented' and experienced artists will independently agree as to the method in which characters they are called upon to fill shall bo treated. Whether that was so or not. the conceptions could not very well have been improved upon. Mr Thomas Kingston, who made his debut 'in the leading part of Sherlock Holmes, played with skill and judgment. The calm imperturbable character of tho man embarked noon a mission of extreme delicacy and danger, and his inflexible determination and extraordinary resourcefulness were admirably depicted by Mr Kingston. Mr Gregan M'Mahon appeared for the first time as (he Professor— ' King oi 'em all," as ho is styled by Sid lrince-and acquitted himself with considerable success. Mr Harry Plimmor's Larrabec was a well-studied part, and was played by him for the first time; and Mr 1. VV. Lloyd is to be highly commended tor Ins very good impersonation of For- ' n"'r , P,° hit , tllo l ,art off witl ' remark, able nclcliry, and made the most of it Mr Fred. Cambourno was very happily cast as &m. innce, and his touches of humour here ami there were relished by the audionce all the more from tho fact that humour is not of frequent occurrence in " Sherlock Holmes. Of the ladies' Miss Ethel Warwick has to bo singled out for special mention. She played Madge' Larraboe cxeentiona ly well throughout, and everything she did was well done. Miss Mariorio Murray cannot bo said lo have been as successful as could be desired in the part of Miss Faulkner. There is not a great deal to do and the performance as a. whole urn not thereaoro suffer from any shortcomings on Miss Murray's pari. Miss iilwyn Harvey made a capita! French maid and such small characters as Mrs Faulkner and Mrs Smcedlcy were satisfactorily takon. Mr Hodge Carey's Billy was excellent, and Mr A. E. Greenaway did well in the role of Dr Watson. Minor mule parts wcro taken by Messrs Turner, Irwin, Stavely, and other members of the company. "Sherlock Holmes" will be repeated this evening for tho last time. FULLERS' PICTURES. Both tho afternoon anil tho evening exhibition of Fullers' Pictures attracted' good attendance on Saturday, and- the display of films met with appreciation— some! more [nan others, of course. The picture depicting the timber industry in Norway was an acceptable introduction lo fl good programme, which included, as usual, wetlsolrcted and varied subjects, anion-- which may ha mentioned " The Yintago Season," ''A Race for Handkerchief," and "A Dash to Death." The programme will bo repeated for tho next three nights. MAURICE'S VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. A good house assembled in the Alhambra Theatre on Saturday evening to farewell the Maurice Vaudeville Company, which has boon performing here since Show Day. As on tho previous evenings, the appreciathe various items was well merited, particularly in the case of the star items, so that it can be said tho company closed its second Dunedin season under satisfactory auspices.