The Stage

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 390, 13 January 1898, Page 14

The Stage

[By

Orpheus.

Opera House: “The Derby w * nne ®”77 After a prosperous seven nights’ run in big of St. Paul’s” was on Saturday evening replaced by one of Sir Augustus Harris’s biggest written in collaboration with Messrs Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton. Although, of course, in many respects melodramatic, the piece contains much pure comedy, and is therefore stronger from a literary point of view than the ordinary transpontine production. The chief motif ot a consistent plot turns upon the efforts of two unscrupulous persons —Major Mostyn and Vivien Darville—to wreck the domestic happiness and ruin the fortunes of the Earl and Countess of Desborough, in which the male and female yillains are of course ultimately foiled after doing not a little mischief. They arouse jealousy an estrange husband and wife, they force the Der y favorite into Tattersall’sand hocuss the jockey on the eve of the race, but a deus ex machina always descends in time to administer poetic justice. Surgeon-Major Cyprian Streatfield, of the army medical staff; Maria, Duchess of Milford; and Rupert Leigh invariably smash the well-laid plans of the conspirators. Scenery and mounting are again immense, Messrs Brunton and Spong displaying their powers in a series of magnificent sets. Among these the drawing-room in Brackenhurst Hall (with a real billiard table in the background), the Malton Downs and the Derby trial (realistically reproduced with live steeds and jockeys), the Ball given by the 43rd Hussar*, the Sale at Tattersail’s, the Extermr of Mostyn s Cottage (exceptionally lovely), The Paddock, and the Derby Finish, are splendid examples ot Mr Bland Holt’s wonderful staging. The cast is an exacting one, and only a company with vast resources could attempt to fill it as Mr Holt does. The adventuress, Vivien Darville alias Delmaine, affords Miss Watson a better chance to display her finesse than any character she has hitherto assumed. The role is a less repulsive one than that of “ 1 he Panther,” and the clever lady is winsome as well as detestable. Her comedy powers come out more strongly than ever, and she impresses upon her audience throughout the fact that. Vivien, however wicked, is still a lady. Miss Frances Ross looks every every inch a Countess, winning all S ‘ mpathies by her.emotional and spirituel impersonation of a loving and innocent wife caught in the toils of a polished scoundrel, but battling through her trials with dignity, virtue, and courage, and emerging with unsullied purity. As Maria, the sporting and sportive Duchess, Mrs Bland Holt makes a tremendous hit. Not a point is missed and in the scene with her betrothed surgeon n ajor, when the relics cH his previous thirteen engagime; ts are reluctantly produced a» d relentlessly condemned, ti e fun both make is delicious. Mbs Fitzmaurice Gill as Annette Donelly plays a light comedy pirt. with captivating humor and ignal succe-s, and Miss Flora Anstead, a* her mother (Mrs Donelly) makes much of few' opportunities. As Maiy Aylmer, the trainer’s gentle and pretty daughter, whom Mostyn deceives and Desborough. at the

cost of a foul aspersion, generously assists and protects, Miss Adela Kerr acted with tenderness and grace. Nurse Moylmg and Jane Ann Stokes found capable exponents in the Misses E. Maher and Lucy Coppin, Miss Brightie Smith looked, charming and played admirably the boy role of Harold Viscount Fernside. Mr W. E. Baker acted with natural dignity, force, and pathos in the hero’s part, the Earl of Desborough in his hands being a true British nobleman of the right stamp. Mr Albert Norman again displayed polish, sangfroid, and finesse as the acolastic villain, Major Mostyn, winning the usual flattering groans from the pit. Mr John Cosgrove (as Rupert Leigh) made much of a rather small part, as also did Messrs Corlesse, Harford, Harold Carr, etc., etc., who competently filled minor parts. Mr Charles Brown gave a living picture of the honest and bluff Yorkshire trainer, Joe Aylmer, whom the villain in vain attempts to bribe or turn from his duty by tempting him to avenge the supposed betrayal of his daughter. Mr Brown’s Yorkshire dialect is well assumed. Mr Bland Holt’s impersonation of Surgeon-Major Streatfield is perhaps the finest bit of comedy work that clever actor has ever achieved. As a departure from his usual line it deserves the highest praise, being much in the Boucicault style of character acting and a brilliant success. Two or three of the smart sayings in a well-written book is all I can find space for —“I have a theory!” says the doctor; “ Wouldn’t it be better for a doctor to have a practice,” retorts the sprightly Annette ; “I trains for gentlemen, not nobbiers” ; “ He’s an idiot ; “ Ah ! but such a dear idiot”; “Marrying a widow is like wearing secondhand clothes, or smoking another man’s pipe” ; “ I buy sleevelinks for a friend, but a stud for a husband ! Mr Percy Kehoe’s orchestra play new and delightful music, a trombone solo being a marked feature. “The Derby Winner” could be given for four nights only. The change (to-night) is “ One of the Best,” which really is one of Mr Holt s best.

Review. —I have received from the composer, Mr Walter Impett, a march for the pianoforte bearing the happily chosen title, “ Marches des Paladins.” The music is beautifully printed and the cover adorned with a capital frontispiece. Mr Impett has written a bold and striking march which compels attention throughout, in some passages—notably the bars on top of page 5 progressions occur which display more valour than discretion from the theorist’s point of view. Trumpet echoes are effectively introduced, and the piece contains sufficient difficulties to make is interesting for the advanced student. The leading theme is a catching and effective melody. Toe “ Marche des Paladins,” which bids fair to become very popular, is published by Messrs A. Eady and Co. of Auckland.

Mr George S. Callender writes from Napier, January 3 “The Hellers and Bonanza Company opened at Gisborne on New Year’s night, and on the conclusion of the season there will work southwards. At Napier the combination played a good three nights’ season. We shall be in Auckland in a few months’ time.” The Hawke's Bay Herald praises the Hellers verv highly. Mr G. W. Heller is a thaumaturgist of the Carl Hertz genus, and also a talented singer of comic songs. Mr Percy Abbott is an excellent pianist and banjoist. Miss Ve a Havelock artistically performs chameleon, sun, and butterfly dances. Miss Mandecna Heller, the “ Materialised Mahatma,” is a marvellous thought reader. An excellent. kinematograph adds to the attraction of a popular variety entertainment.