PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 51

PRINCESS THEATRE.

THE ROSCIUS DRAMATIC CLUB

The spectacular drama " British Born " was reproduced by the Roscius Dramatic Club on the 31st, as a complimentary benefit to Mr A. Brandon Cremer. There was a good attendance, and the drama was received with many demonstrations of approval. '" British Born," which was produced by the club a short time back, is one of those melodramatic plays which appeal so strongly to a large section of theatregoers. The whole scheme is one long series of evils which befall the virtuous, and which are instigated by the vilest specimens of mankind. The machinations of the evil-doers, ro matter what success attends them in their initiatory stages, are invariably frustrated. The rogues all depart from life very suddenly and very ignominiously, and the injured innocents once more re&unae the paths of virtue unmolested and triumphant. The piece was well staged, and the performance was freer from defects than most amateur productions usually are. The chief sin that can be laid at the doors of the performers was a hesitancy m delivering their lines, and a tendency on the part of a few to strike stiff " stagey " attitudes. However, deducting these deficiencies, the performance may be said to have been a very meritorious one. The principal honours, without doubt, were carried off by Miss, Laura Hanlon, who gave a very presentable study of a charming young lady, whose whole life is a constant wail of distress through the frequency with which her lover's life was placed in jeopardy, and the persistence with which rivals, ranging from a Governor of a Bolivian State down to a most ruthless cut-throat scoundrel, sought her hand. She invested the part with much grace, and frequently gave a skilful display of emotional acting. Mr D. Campbell, as the persecuted hero, was also much above the average of amateur performers. His acting was consistent throughout, and he made one or two effective hits. Mr A. Brandon Cremer assumed the part of an irrepressible, imperturbable junior clerk, who was a constant source of inconvenience to the villains, owing to the happy knack he possessed of turning up in the nick of time in out-of-the-way places and upsetting the most cautiously-laid plans for the downfall of the hero and his friends. He acted with spirited, breezy effect, and managed to extract sufficient mirth from the part to keep the audience in good humour during the evening. Miss Mary Blaney made her first appearance as an amateur exponent of the histrionic art, and her representation of Nancy Treat gave promise of future successes on the stage. During the play she sang " Tommy Atkins " with much acceptance. Mr A E. Morris had a lot to do as the " heavy villain " of the piece, and he did it with a considerable amount of ability. Mr Geo. Smith, at a short notice, took the important part of Jabez Dolman, and his efforts were very praiseworthy. Mr H. Richards, as a wealthy mine-owner, Mr F. Smith, Mr H. W. M'Dowell (as the Governor of St. Etienne), and the other members of the company, acted well in their respective parts. The performance closed with a capital tableau representing Britannia surrounded by her defenders, in which over 50 local volunteers took part.