MELODRAMA TRIUMPHANT I

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1047, 31 March 1910, Page 16

MELODRAMA TRIUMPHANT I

MR. GEORGE MARLOW’S NEW DRAMATIC COMPANY. “MARRIED TO THE WRONG MAN” AT HIS MAJESTY’S. The Easter attraction at His Majesty’s is Mr. George Marlow’s New Dramatic Company, which has been playing “Married to the Wrong Man” to bumper houses, each night of the season so far having witnessed great crowds in attendance, while on Saturday and Monday large numbers had to be refused admission, every available seat being occupied. Again on Tuesday night there was a big crowd in attendance despite the torrential rains that deluged the city at night, the takings running into three figures, 'and, beginning so well, there is every evidence that the company has fairly entered upon a boom that is likely to last all through the season, 'which, so far as Auckland is concerned, iff limited strictly to nineteen nights. “ Married to the Wrong Man” is said to have broken all previous-melo-dramatic records.. It is. decidedly “good stuff” of its kind, the plot is cleverly conceived and covers a by no means improbable story (allowing for certain; exaggerations that are ob- ' viously introduced to add to the sensational side Of the play and to thus sustain the interest of the crowd that hankers after that sort of thing)., it is well acted, and produced with a careful attention to detail that leaves very little to be desired; the scenery is good, the stage effects are of the best, and the incidental music- provided by the orchestra under the direction of' Mr. W. L. Butler, runs pleasantly along, thus adding to the general enjoyment of the play, which, it should, be noted, is produced by an old Auckland boy, in the person of Mr. T. E. Tilton, the stage manager, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Curran, both of whom are to be congratulated upon the success attending their efforts. “Married to the Wrong Man” covers the story of a much persecuted orphan girl named Ruth, whose putative father Jasper Skinner marries her against her will to Herbert Deering, a spendthrift army officer, who, funking active service, deserts his regiment on the eve of its departure for the : seat of war, and who, on discovering that Ruth’s fortune is a purely imaginary one, sells her to Jack Gladwin,a private soldier in another regiment, with whom Rose O’Connor, Ruth’s friend, is in love. Deering leaves the country in disgrace and is reported to be dead and later Jack Gladwin, who has attained his captaincy and come into possession of a fortune, marries Ruth, and is having supper at his chambers with her and his friends on this second bridal night, when Deering, the first husband, appears and claims his wife again, but offers to be bought off. The shock causes Ruth to lose her powers of speech and Deering brutal-

ly declares that she has known of his existence all along and has corresponded with and been a wife to him. Ruth is conveyed to the hospital and is under treatment there, when she is abducted by Deering and Skinner, who hold her a f prisoner in the hope of securing ransom. Tied to a bedstead in Mother Snagg’s garret, she overhears a plot to kill Captain Gladwin, and is enabled to give timely warning to Sergeant Manners, who hastens to 53 South-street, to which Gladwin has been lured. There he recognises Deering as the betrayer of his wife and is murdered by Deering and Skinner in company. Ruth, having effected her escape, arrives on the scene and witnesses the murder. In her despair she falls prostrated over Manners’ body, and when the police arrive on the scene is arrested on suspicion of committing the mudrer. She has to stand her trial and Gladwin, who prior to joining the army, had been a barrister, undertakes her defence. In dumb show, after the evidence has been given against her, she describes how and by whom the murder was committed, pointing to Jasper Skinner and Herbert Deering, who are in court, as the criminals, and imitating their manner and actions, even to the limp that is the distinguishing characteristic of Skinner’s motions. Conscience stricken, Skinner confesses his share in the crime and incriminates Deering; the pair are arrested and in the supreme relief that comes to her at this unexpected proof of her innocence, Ruth regains her powers of speech, and the curtain falls on a scene of intense dramatic interest.

Miss Essie Clay, although really splendid in the Court scene, in which she fights for her life, portraying in such vivid fashion the events leading up to the murder, is too unemtional to be said to be a complete success. At times her manner is almost stolid in its seeming indifference; she too consciously acts the part and thus spoils the effect of what is otherwise a very creditable performance. Miss Lillian Booth plays winningly and convincingly in the part of the self-sacrificing Rose O’Connor, who supplants her rival in the affections of the man she loves. Miss Louise Car.basse, with her saucy and bright, piquant ways, was happily cast as Dolly Fritter. She made the most of her somewhat limited opportunities, and is evidently capable of greater things. Miss Nettie Bundle, as Olive Manners, also made good in her part, and was well received. There are some notably good actors amongst the men. Mr. Herbert J. Bentley, as the soldier hero, is naturally most popular. He is full of life and action and plays his part vigorously and well, making the most of his opportunities and well deserving the applause he receives. As Jasper Skinner, Mr. Thomas E. Tilton is scarcely less convincing. In the roles of inn-keeper and deadbeat he is equally at home and plays well, making good even with the limp, which was viewed by the “Star” critic as the flaw in his performance, although it was by that limp that his identification was possible in the pathetic scene in which the dumb woman tells the story of the murder of Sergeant Manners. Mr. Hilliard Vox plays the part of Herbert Deering with much natural ability and despite his villainous manners and actions (a necessary part of the performance it must be remembered) makes good with the crowd. Mr. Thomas Curran is happily cast in a comedy character that fits him like a glove. His work is of uniform excellence and comes as a grateful relief to the more tragic moods of the play. Needless to say he is a great favourite with the crowd. Mr. P. V. Scully, as Sergeant Manners, gives an excellent performance and is one of the favourites of the play. Mr. R. Goode fills the role of Dr. Archie Bird, and the minor characters are well sustained.

“THE WEDDING RING.” If there is anything in stage superstition, and artists and a large proportion of the |p|ublic are credited with it, then “The Wedding Ring,” to be produced by Mr. George MarlOw’s Dramatic Company on Wednesday evening, for the first time in New Zealand, should be blessed with good luck. On the opening night of the piece in Sydney, and during the scene where the Duchess in the plot is writing a letter stating she is tired of life and the vexations attendant ■upon her position, a black icat emerges from near the footlights, having apparently come from one of the boxes and walked serenely across the stage. Notwithstanding the serious scene and the unusual visitation the attention of the large audience was so riveted that not a titter was heard from any part of the house. Artists, in fact, asked themselves once again whether there were any forebodings in such a visit. It is said, however, that none of the artists of the company have received notices of legacies, as was the case in Melbourne recently, when a black cat walked across the stage as a certain popular actress was performing, and a week later she received intimation that she had been left a fortune in England. So far “The Wedding Ring” has proved a big success. It is said to be exquisitely mounted and the plot is worked out in “an exceptional manner.” According to a Sydney daily “The Wedding Ring” is a piece “that caught on from the start. It is, perhaps, the best that Mr. Marlow has yet presented. There is an interesting connected story, a wealth of incident, some very fine stage effects, including a realistic railway smash, and some beautiful scenery.” And other Australian leading papers have referred to “ The Wedding Ring” in as eulogistic terms.