HIS MAJESTER'S THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 61

HIS MAJESTER'S THEATRE.

A dramatised version of Hall Caine's novel " The Bondman " was staged by the WoodsWilliamson Company for the first time inDunedin at His .Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night before a large audience. The book has always been one of the most widely known of the writer's works, and. thoiigh not his best effort, is undoubtedly full of "powerful passages and forceful situations. But playwrights recognise the great risk in dramatising even novels of repute. The plot that entrances one between the two covers of a book may prove anything but a success behind the footlights," and the scenes that awaken the liveliest sensations and stir the deepest emotions may on the stage fall flat and unfavourable. From that fate, however, this dramatised version, which is by Miss Williamson herself, escapes without any difficulty, emerging from the ordeal indeed with triumph, and it is not surprising to learn that elsewhere in the colony the company have earned flattering receptions for their characterisation. Miss Williamson has exercised a correct judgment in her selection of the scenes which constitute the play, and tlia various incidents she has used m the development of the plot hs.ve been so ingeniously threaded together that it completely captivates an *«4ience from the start te the finish.. " Xhe

Bondman" is a succession of scenes of the mixed crder — some painful and some pleasing, — but always vivid and powerful, and Miss Williainfon has taken the fullest advantage of the central thread without in any way exaggerating any of the scenes or conversations that might easily have been overdone. All things considered the production is one of the best in the company's extensive repertoire, and Ihe interest of the audience was fully revived in the piece and retained right up to iihe close. The story of the self-sacrifice of Jason Orry, which leads him in the end to give his life far his friend, has been taken as the keynote of the piece, and we learn from it of tie trials and sufferings of Jason and Michael in the sulphur mines of Iceland, of the efforts of the hero to save Michael from the ill-treatmenri of the slave drivers, of the awakening of Jason to the real identity of' the prisoner he has so nobly defended against the tyranny of his master?, and of the constant love of G-reeba for tki? man -who believes she had wronged him. Of course, the character of the heroic Jason is that upon which the interest mainly centres, and Mr Alfred Woods in its portrayal had an exce-llenfr opportunity of displaying his versatility, and he made the most of it. It is not an easy charac+er to impersonate, but Mr "Woods's study of it was thoughtful, painstaking, and clever, and all through reached a high level of excellence. Miss Maud Williamson achiet ed the full measure of success in the role of the devoted Greeba. playing the part artistically, and undoubtedly adding to her reputation as a clever a-ctress. The other characters were excellently filled. None of *h»m are heavy, but they are all important links in the chain. The staging i.= all that oou 1 d be desired, the sulphur mines in Iceland being particularly effective. The orchestral music wa3 something above the ordinary, and tho audience listened to it in the intervals vith much pleasure.