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Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 24 February 1912, Page 21

Things are not alwaye what they are imagined to be, as Solomon, or someone remarked, and play titles are not always a sure index to the nature of the play. And it was because of a misleading label that about thirty Natives journeyed from the backblocks into Hawera a. few evenings ago with the intention of feasting their souls on the rapturous harmonies of "The Speckled Band." The first act was taken quietly aa being something in the nature of a curtain-raiser, anjd they waited patiently for the band to put in an appearance, but it was not until halfway through the second act that they realised they had been cold and left the stalls in an indignantly dignified body. A korero was held outside to decide whether the management should be charged with obtaining: money under false pretences, but asthe show moved onwards next morning the matter wae allowed to drop* ••■ ■ • Melbourne " Punch " gives currency to the rumour that "the incomparable Harry Lauder will visit the Commonwealth this year. ■ ■ •. It has been definitely decided by the George Marlow management that the Drury Lane success, entitled "The Sins of Society," will receive its Australian premiere at the Sydney Adelphi Theatre on Easter Saturday. It is intended to mount " The Sins of Society " on an elaborate scale. The Marlow management have scoured no less than five large' cases of models from London for the drama. Two of the big epectacular scenes are a shipwreck episode, where the big liner is seen striking the rocks, the rescue of the passengers, and then the breakingup of the ship, and the big racecourse scene, where an actual race takes place. In fact, the " Sins of Society " is one of those spectacular melodramas that tend to make fine acting a lost art. The latest development of stage-craft is that the scenery does all the acting, and the "characters ,, stan/i about and look pleasant.