THEATRE ROYAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7810, 24 December 1896, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

ALFRED WOODS' DRAMATIC SEASON. The Alfred Woods Dramatic Company commenced a short season in the Theatre Royal last night hefore a numerous audience in the stirring drama " Hands Across the Sea." Mr Woods ia new to Gisborne theatregoers, but Bhortly after the curtain had risen last night it was only too evident he and his company had made a favorable impression, which was strengthened aa the play proceeded, and found expression in frequent outbursts of applause, and calls at' the end of the principal situations in the piece. "Hands Across the Sea" is a strongly written, stirring drama of the type in which virtue, being attacked by villainy pines and languishes for awhile, but eventually flourishes and asserts itself more strongly than ever, while villainy finds a meet resting place in one of her Maiesty'h prisons. There is also a scent of Australia about the play which appeared to commend itself to the audience, while their patriotic feelings found vent in loud applause at the running up to the masthead of the Union Jack for the protection of the hero, whom the officer of a French warship ib seeking to arrest. Mr Alfred Wooda'scored a distinct success as Jack Dudley, a young English farmer, a character in which he has appeared very many times, and for which he has earned very high commendation. He was just the sort of hero one likes to meet on the Btage— genial, bright, open-handed, large-hearted, and loving, ever ready to defend the honor of himself and of thoao near and dear to him, and equally ready, in the openness of his character, to shake hands and make it np again. The moment he appeared on the stage he was in touch with the audience, whose sympathy and regard he won during the trying experiences he underwent through the five acts of the play. •Tack Dudley, as pourtrayed by Mr Woods,' was one of the best pieces of character aoting that has been seen ' in Gisborne for a long time past. .The part, of the heroine, Lillian Melford, afterwards Jack's wife, was taken by Miss IreneThornton, who proved herself a most capableexponent of the character. There was nothing strained or forced about her acting, -but in every action she carefully poartrayed the faithful, loving wife, trusting throughout it» her husband's innocence, and prepared to undergo anything to be by that husband's side and support him in the hoar of 'adversity. The characterisation was pleasing &nd effective, and quickly gained for Miss Thornton the entire goodwill of the audience. Another v<-ry sirong character was that of Dick Melford (Mr J. P. West), who gare an admirable study of the part of the socces»fnl gold-digger returning after many years to bis daughter, rich and respeoted, and ready to defend her agaiast the maohinations of her enemies. Mr E. D. Marsland made a capital Captain Land, commander of the s.s. Australasian, and his exhibition of British pluck in determining to protect the hero against the officer of the French warship until the charge against him was proved called forth hnarty outbursts of applause. Mr Geot«e> Melville as old Dick Stillwood had not much to do, but what ho did do was efficiently done. The part of the villain, Richard Stttlwood, gambler, perjurer, and murderer, was undertaken by Mr Alfred Boothman,, who gave a clever interpretation of the designing scoundrel who, driven to desperation by bis need of money lost at the gaming table, seeks to entrap the wealthy heroine into his power, and sticks at no crime to effect hia fell purpose. Mr W. Dalgleish made a capable Count Paul de Renal, and Mr Colleb Dobson was well fitted with the part of Jean de Lusac, the accomplice of Riohard Siitlwood in the murder of Count Paul. H« ' was particularly effootive in the scene with Jack Dudley in the condemned cell, and in the last act, when, in revenge for his own ■ betrayal, he denounces Stillwood as the real murderer. The comedy element was supplied by Mr E. Coghlan aa Troi Baesett, a country farmer, and Miss Maud Gwynne, as Mabel Stillwood, who for long lovea Tom without her affeqtions being returned, The scene in whioh Tom and Jack meet after the former's return from Australia was ex-% tremely funny, and Mr Coghlan made the moat of the part of the sturdy friend of Dudley, who sticks by him in his time of trouble and eventually plays no small part ia proving his innocence. The scenes between him and Mabel were also very funny, and caused roars of laughter. Miss Marion Medway made a satisfactory Madame Vallerie, keeper of a Parisian gaming saloon, but the American accont of Mr Chas. King as Hiram Hiokory, from Chicago, is capable of considerable improvement. Other minor parts were filled by Messrs J. Manning, Harry Willard. Harry Beaumonts, Phil. Middleton, E. Stanley, Fred Mereditbj E. Stanley, and B. W. Lewis. The play \ns well staged, and from beginning to end, everything went without a hitch.