GRAITAN RIGGS' SEASON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9289, 15 January 1892, Page 2

GRAITAN RIGGS' SEASON.

Tub piece in which Mr Grattan Riggs will commence his short season in New Plymouth, is a play which although specially constructed with a view to fitting the peculiar ability of the chief actor, is nevertheless founded on fact. Sonioyoars since there were several mysterious murders in Now York,- and the efforts of tho police wero fruitless until tho services of an unusually astute detective were called in, and as a rosult the perpetrator of the crimes was brought to justice. In the play, which Mr Riggs has rendered famous throughout Attferica and Australia, there is a strong domestic Btory, together with a lovo interest. A young clerk in a merchant's office is unjustly arrested and accused on the chargo of murder, but under circumstances which point conclusively to his guilt. It is a case of circumstantial evidence. Thanks to the ingenuity of Arthur Tracey, an Irish detective, tho crime is eventually brought homo to tho real criminal, but not before many oxciting scenes and incidents are witnessed. The earlier portion of tho first act is mainly preparatory. The groundwork of the plot is cloarly laid down in it, so that there is no difficulty in subsequently following the story. The plot is distinctly good, and tho story is always interesting, but the main feature in the play is, naturally enough, the detective, who is disguised in turns as a north-country Irishman, a German glazier, a Negro soup merchant, nn Irish applewoman, a Chinese pie vendor, and finally a blood thirsty Italian. Mr Kig^s has invariably received unqualified praise for his delineations of these characters. There are various other pa: ts in the piece which, however, appeal to the audience, for Mr Riggs, unlike tho majority of comedians, is not afraid t<Tlet his brother actors have a chance to show their mettle. The various scenes of tin threo acts pass in around New York. " The Irish Detective," it may be pointod out, will only bo played for ono night (Saturday). On Monday " Arrah-na*Pogue " will be presented, with Mr Riggs as Shaun the Post.

Messrs Dingle & Corke beg to thank their patrons for tho hearty Bupport accorded to .them during the Christmas season. They hnvo also to request that, as Mr Corko will leave for England in February in order to porsonally seL:ct a large shipment of new furniture, &c.,a1l accounts due to the firm may be settled* without delay. . In order to make room for these goods a clearing sale of furniture, crockery, and fancy goods will commence •at once and continue till further notice. Should any persons wish Mr (Jorketo call and see their friends at Homo he will bo happy fco do so. — Advt.

If you wish to make a handsome Christmas present, useful as well as ornamental, go to J. A very and buy a Watorbury watch, tho most reliable timekeepers ever sold. Prices : Series E, tho old favorite, 13a 6d; Series J (Gents' size) and L (Ladies' size), the new short-winding, stem-winding, and Betting-marvels, 22s 6d each. — Advt.