"TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS."

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13946, 29 April 1909, Page 2

"TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS."

J"Twp Little Sailor Boys," a thrilling drama fall of sensational and pathetio incidents, was excellently interpreted by, Meynell and Gunn's dramatic company, at the Theatre Royal last evening. There was not a good attendance., The story' hung Arand an 'ambitious but evu woman, Lola Grey, who had deserted her only son when he was practically an infant. She was associated with Jim Royston (a burglar). Her husband^ was supposed to have nlied in Sout^x . Africa, but she was really married to Admiral Grey (widower). The Admiral's daughter (Mildred) and son (Cyril) from tho first did not amicably co-oper-ate with their stepmother, whose desiro to oust them from the home was even- , tually accomplished. .' Th# Ijbsi*4 lpv« r story was introduced hy ©aptaih'^Noel • Tregarthen (the hero), who sought Mildred's hand, while laeutenant Redstone <th« villain) did likewise. But the adventuress was soon to meet her downfall. She was recognised by her deserteel son'Tom> who was in the employ of Polston, whilst her husband returned . ,firom his supposed grave, and of «wj«» . ,, she was exposed. Tfte marriage of MSv <- dred and th* Captain •eventuated"»nd 'Cyril and Tom joined the navy and became "two little sailor boys." The various characters were all well represented. Mr. H) J. Bentley as Captain Tregarthen and Miss Lilian Meyers as Lola Grey were particularly mod,* the emotional acting of the latter being very fine. In the part of Cynl, Miss Beatrice Holloway did not have a great , deal to do, but with Miss Mabel Russell , made two very, original KttJ* milsr .boys: Miss Nellie Florence, as Mildred, was very good, the naturalness- of her part was well sustained, and altogether she treated nor interpretation in a first-class manner. Mr. J. C Alholwood made a good burglar, and Mr. A. Neville acted the part of Lieutenant Redstone well, the other characters afl being Very well represented. Refreshing comedy was supplied by Mr. Leo de Chateau, whose playing of Ben -Baxter (a bit of everything) supplied tb* cn«m- * ment of theT evening. He was w*ll backed up by Mr. Harry Halley (a jolly Jack) and Miss Alice Deorwyn (a parlour maid). It was not until the last of the four acts that any reference was made to the name of the piece, and though the plot thread was visible throughout, the reference to the two little sailor boys was wanting. The scenery was, as on the first night, very good, and some of tho effects obtained were excellent. „ »