THE WOODS-WILLIaMSONS COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2650, 28 December 1904, Page 60

THE WOODS-WILLIaMSONS COMPANY.

The dramatic company headed by Mr Alfred^ Woods and Miss Maud Williamson opened a return season in Dunedin on Monday .at His , Majesty's Theatre, when the attendance was large. " Barabbas," the title of the new play which the company introduced to' a Dunedin audience on this occasion, is a dramatisation by Misg Williamson of Marie Corelli's wellknown book of that name, and in the dramatic version certainly nothing has been lo3fc that might tend towards creating interest or excitement. " Barabbas " will, in fact, be found to be a stirring play, skilfully treated. The subject ia one naturally of considerable interest, and those who have not read Marie Corelli's , novel, and want some insight into the possible • character of the robber of Scripture, would do we I to see the play under discussion. The leading characters in the drama, are Jiarabbas and Judith, the city beauty oi whom he is enamoured, and for whose sake he commits those indiscretions that end in a prison dungeon. In the first act is shown how Judith's craving for a. string of pearls causes Barabbas to send his follower to puichase them, the latter, on being refused, robbing ancl murdering their owner and taking the jewels to Barabbas, who presents them to Judith. In , the second act Barabbas, in an exciting duel, puts an end to the life of a maligner of Judith, and is also accused of the- previous robbery and murder and cast into prison. Then comes the scriptural scene of the hall of justice, where Pontius Pilate sits in judgment, and the release of Barabbas at the wll of the populace. The act does not close without the earthquake so vividly described in the novel, a very striking effect being here achieved. The third act is- devoted to showing the extraordinary love of Juciith for her brother, who commits suicide, and a very powerful scene in the act is that in which Judith discovers his body and loses her reason. In the fourth a.nd final act the climax is reached in the death of Judita, and the picture of Barabbas standing over her body. Such is an indication of- the material of the play and of the leading points of the plot, which, it will be allowed, is not lacking in interest. The prison scene of the second act is a particularly strong one, and in the final act the opportunity is taken to introduce a very effective tableau. Stage depiction of scenes Biblically historical requires approaching with a discriminating mind, but it will be agreed that in the representation under discussion discrimination has been shown, aud the theme has been handled oarefu |y, and not without delicacy. Mx Alfred vVoods as Barabbas, the misjudged reckless, but not j evil-hearted, wanderer of the novelist's creation, added another to the long list of excellent dramatic impersonations he has put before the Dunedm public, and his acting was at all times good, and sometimes of a very high order; and hie Barabbas an exceedingly virile and vigoroiis character. Miss Maud W I :iamson, in the character of Judith, a lady fond of her own way, and not scrupulous as to the moans of getting it, had some excellent opportunities of displaying to the full her histrionic ability, and her acting was powerful at times, and a/lways consistent and natural. The prinoipals are supported by a nuirsterous and adequate caste, amang -which Mr H. Douglas as Pilate, Mr C. Biyant as Caiphas the High Prie&t, Mr J. A. Lambert, Mr J. Macfarlane, Mr L. D. Chateau, and Mr P. Savieri might be singled out as doing good work in their respective roles. The mounting of the play is oil a lavish scale, and a representation of the life of the time has not been unsuccessfully aimed a;t, and attention has been bestowed on all details, such as costume, etc An excellent orchestra provides the necessary music "Barabbas" should have a successful run.