Henry Dramatic Company

Southland Times, Issue 14515, 15 December 1899, Page 2

Henry Dramatic Company

This company is doing its best to place before the public a selection of good dramas, and the fairly good attendance last night to witness Fait Lynne testifies that play-goers appreciate its efforts. Mr D. Clarke, as Wilson, the gossipy male domestic, was perfectly up in his part 1 , and so was Miss Louise Hartley, as Joyce, the ma : d ; both deserve credit for the manner in which they sustained their roles. It is to Miss Billie Howarde, however, that the company is chiefly indebted for its success in East Lynne ; she acted the dual part in such a way as to draw forth the strongest sympathies of the audience, while Mr Robert Henry, as Carlyle gave some stirring passages. Mr J. R. Goodall in the part of the titled libertine and murderer, was fervently hooted and hi-sad by some emotional individuals in the p t who entered fully into tbe spirit of his acting and evidently believed him the “ heavy villain” whose part he impersonated so ably. The death of little Willie was a most pathetic scene, and wrought upon the emotions of the audience, moving several of the female portion to tears. Constable Bullock (Mr W. J. Coulter) and Mr Dill (Mr E. Hnmphries) introduced considerable humour into the situations in which they appeared, and Miss Cornelia Carlyle (Miss Laura Keene) was greeted on every appearance with signs of the keenest appreciation. Miss Marion Willis as Barbara had but little scope, still she represented her part to the life, and Mr A. S. Hodge played the part of Richard Hare realistically. The interview between Isabel and her old guardian was exceedingly pathetic,and MrH. N. Douglas as Lord Mount Severn assisted Miss Howarde to rouse the feelings of the audience to a high pitch of intensity. The play is well-known, but in such able hands it bears reproduction, and its reception last night W£(s, a very hearty one.

To-night the company appear in “ Shamrock and Thistle,” which they consider one of their most fetching productions.