MR. ALLAN HAMILTON’S CO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1008, 1 July 1909, Page 17

MR. ALLAN HAMILTON’S CO.

"IN THE RANKS.” This drama will be staged again at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday week, when Mr. Allan Hamilton’s dramatic company open their Auckland season with the interesting drama, “ In the Ranks,” with Mr. Geo. Cross and Miss Ada Guildford in the lead. They are supported by a strong combination, including Miss Rosemary Rees, Miss May Hesford, Miss Beatrice Usher, and Miss Maud Chetwynd, Messrs. Wilton Power, Wilton Welsh, John Hesford, and J. L. Lawrence. The company consists of thrity-live artists. In addition to “ In the Ranks,” the repertoire includes three plays entirely new to this country—viz., “ Queen of the Night,” “ In the King’s Name,” and “The King of Crime,” while Mr. Hamilton also holds the sole rights of “ A Message from Mars,” which is also to be revived. The public here may ant’cipate a treat as far as the mounting is concerned, as both the Sydney and the Wellington press speak in glowing terms of this department, and admit that nothing finer has been seen. Mr. H. Whaite, who was responsible for most of the late Robert Brough’s productions, was specially engaged to paint the scenery. The box-plan will be open at Wildman and Arey’s on Tuesday morning. The season in Auckland is linrted to thirteen nights, the first three being devoted to “In the Ranks,” which will be followed by

a revival of that charming comedydrama, “ A Message from Mars.” Concerning “In the Ranks,” our Napier correspondent Writes: —“Mr. Allan Hamilton’s dramatic company, headed by Mr. George Cross and Miss Ada Guilford, opened a three nights’ season here in the Theatre Royal, with the sensational military drama, “In the Ranks,” which was made famous twenty-five years ago by George Rignold. It was received in Napier as a new drama. The house was crowded with an enthusiastic audience, that watched with keen interest the development of the several scenes in this very fine play, and never missed a point. It would be unjust to Mr. H. Whaite, the scenic artist, were I not to notice the very sterling qualities of his stage pictures, which are entitled to rank amongst the best we have seen. As Ned Drayton, the hero, Mr. Geo. Cross gave a nice, firm and manly interpretation of tne part, and was applauded to the echo. Miss Guilford calls for lots of praise, but it is unnecessary for me to go into detail, for N.Z. playgoers know that, when this lady appears in any cast, they are in for lots of good acting, etc. And this is no exception. All the members of the company did good work, especially Miss Rosemary Rees. The second production was “ The Queen of the Night,” and filled a good Saturday night bill. The play provided plenty of sensational enjoyment. The last night of the season the popular “ Message from Mars ” drew a tremen-

dous audience to our Royal. The play was nicely mounted and well acted, Horace Parker being Geo. Cross’ best effort of the season, and when you see him in tms fine part in Auckland shortly you will, I think, bear me out in this. Friend George had hold of the managerial reins, and discharged his duties in a courteous manner. He had able assistance in Mr. Wally Monk.