J. C. WILLIAMSON'S DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 57

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Mr J. C. Williamson is once mere about to present to Dunedin theatregoers a budget of novelties. An eight-nights' dramatic season is to begin on Friday next, May 15, when will be ntroduc-ed to Dunedin. audiences his latest dramatic novelty " Secret Service," a military drama, dealing with the stirring events of the American Civil War. Written by William Gillette, of " Sherlock Holmes ' repute, "Secret Service is described as a war drama oi thrilling interest, and the management is exerting every effort to make the forthcomirg production well worthy of approval. Messrs Gordon acd Dison are responsible for the fine scenery, which is from the original designs, and the realistic appointments and battle effects have been specially brought from Australia in their entirety to add to the realism of the several war scenes. Speaking of the play in question, a Wellington contemporary said: " It is one of the strongest and most compact plays which has been seen here for years. The situations are admirably contrived, and by reason of the brisk action of the drama, its pronouured human interest, and its ciisp dialogue, the attention of the spectators is riveted from the rise of the curtain to its fall. Mr Cuyler Hastings, whom Wellington playgoers were glad to greet once more, has a fine acting part as Lev.ia Dumont (the central figure of the play), mid he brings out absolutely all the points of the character, conveying to the audience the full value of every scsne. ' The drama is founded on incidents connected with the American Civil War at that period of its history when the Federal troops were threatening Richmond iv Virginia. The audience which were present on the occasion referred to by our Wellington contemporary was said to have been "one of the largest ever seen in the local Opera House. ' Tho second attraction of the season wil! be the initial production here by this company oi Wilson Barrett's dramatisation of Hall Caine's famous novel, " The Christian." When produced in Australia by Mr Williamson's company it achieved an instantaneous success, which will not surprise those who are conversant with the deep and intense interest of the story as set forth in the bcok, or those who have already noted Mr Wilson Barrett's great ability^ as v playright in " The Sign of the Cross,'' " The Manxman, and other plays. It will be succeeded by a revival of " Sherlock Holmes, which achieved such a notable success when first presented here. " Secret Service " will hold the boards for four night 3, " The Christian " three nights, and " Sherlock Holmes" one niht.