"ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 69

"ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE.

It is to be assumed that theatrical companies usually put forward what they consider to be their trump card at the beginning of the season, and that what follows does not possess quite the same attractive qualities, good though it may be. ' That may be the rule, but it is not invariable* and an instance of this was experienced on the 16th inst., when Mr J. O. Williamson’s Dramatic Company staged for the first time hero “ Alias Jimmy Valentine,” a dramatisation by Paul Armstrong of O. Henry’s etorv “ A Retrieved Reformation.” Like

'• The SiMickled Band,” one of the central figures a detective of police, but the weird element is absent. There is no chance of the interest of the audience flagging in this most recent production, as the drama is well found in stirring events of a more or loss exciting character. A sprinkling of comedy is also met with, and there arc one or two pathetic incidents. It may therefore be regarded as a play that should give general satisfaction, though perhaps it might not be considered by those who indulge in clofte scrutiny and sharp criticism as occupying a leading position among dramatic writings. It is of the class, however, that is decidedly popular with most frequenters of the theatre, and there were probably very few, if any, among the numerous audience last evening who were not thoroughly satisfied with the provision made for their entertainment. It is a rather startling proposition that one who has been engaged in crime, whatever the redeeming features of his character may be, should successfully aspire to the hand of a wealthy banker’s daughter; yet that is what “ Jimmy Valentine,” whose real name is Leo Randall, does. When the play opens “ Jimmy ” i s “ doing time” for burglary, of which he avers he is innocent. His great success in his burglarious operations is due to the fact that he has a most sensitive touch, and is an expert at unravelling the mysteries of combination locks His protestation of innocence makes an impression upon the Lieu-tenant-governor of New York, and lie is released, and resolves to turn his back on his old life. Ho has been the means of protecting Mins Rose Lane, who, evidently taking a very lively interest in him, persuades her father to find a place for him in his banking institution. Here ho wins the confidence of everyone and r incidentally. the love of Miss Lane. But Doyle, a detective, whose methods of dealing with those who have once been in trouble are not of the most desirable kind, tracks him to his now occupation, but is to a g£eat extent deceived by a clever device of “ Jimmy’s,” and leaves the banking apartment under the impression that “ Jimmy ” is not the man ho is after. Just at that critical moment, however, “ Jimmy ” is informed that little Kitty Lane has been accidentally locked in the strong-room, and “Jimmy’s” pal (Red Jocelvn), whom he has made watchman at the "bank, implores him to bring his old skill into use and undo the combination lock in order to save the child from suffocation. Doyle, who ift just leaving the room, overhears this, and remains to watch proceedings. “Jimmy” sets to work on the lock, his operations being watched from one door by the detective and from the other by bis sweetheart. He succeeds in unravelling the secret of the combination, releases the child, and is confronted by the detective, whom ho has just hoodwinked. Regarding his case as hopeless, he is preparing to surrender himself to the officer, when that individual exhibits a mildness of disposition that ho had previously appeared to be incapable of, and. saying the young lady ha s much more need of “Jimmy” that ho has, marches off the premises. The young lady is evidently prepared to condone everything, and the curtain falls on a very happy couple in a very loving attitude. The” drama was quite as ably presented as “ The Speckled Band ” ; in 'fact, it was a more evenly good performance, every character being exceptionally well filled. Mr Desmond’s “ Jimmy Valentine ” was

an improvement on his Sherlock Holmes. The part seemed more suited to him, and in several instances his acting was of a very high order indeed. One of his most powerful scenes was that in which he steadfaritly refuses to be tempted by Bill Avery and Red Jocelyn to return to his old life, and in his interview by Doyle, the detective, at the Bank, Mr Desmond gave undeniable proof of his high qualifications as an actor. Miss Dix had an important, though a not heavy, part to play, and made Rose Lane a very charming character. Mr Mervale’s detective was ajcapital study, but he was not called upon fdF the same effort as when he appeared as Dr Rydott in “ The Speckled Band.” The Bill Avery of Mr Atholwood was an excellent piece of work. All through, Mr Atholwood acquitted himself with distinct success, and while the part was, in a sense, a serious one, ho infused an immense amount of humour into it at times. The way he met and overcame his temptation to appropriate some of the “currency” at the Bank, having, as he expressed it, when convulsively opening and shutting his hands, got “ lockiaw in both of them,” was a particularly clever piece of acting. Red Jocelyn was well played by Mr Victor, and Mr Bryant is to be commended for his good work in the earlier part of the evening as Warder Handler. The “ demonstrations ” given in the first scene by some of the prisoners, at the warder’s command, in the direction of forgery and opening a lock that had taken the inventor 14 years to perfect, were novel and amusing The cafd was a very lengthy one, the other members of tht company appearing being Misses Vaughan, O’Meara, Messrs Cambourne, Lloyd. Hall, Glyn, Chalmers, Irwin, Jack-Ferguson and Vera Spauli, the two last-named having a very amusing children’s scene all to themselves, in which they performed very cleverly.