HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1144, 14 March 1912, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“A ROMANCE IN IRELAND.”

SIMPLE IRISH LIFE.

“A Romance in Ireland” is a. drama with a real smack of Erin written by Allen Doone. The romance centres round Larry O’Daly, who is impersonated by the author himself, and possesses material for the author-actor to infuse personality into a Quaint and interesting story. Larry loves Norah D'oyle. Norah has a brother Gerald, who has a commission in the army and he returns home on furlough, accompanied by a scamp named Captain Downes. This officer promptly fell in love with the bewitching Norah and resolved to make her his wife. Norah, however, loves Larry, so in order to damn the young Irishman’s chances, Captain Downes endeavours to implicate his rival in a felony. This is accomplished—somewhat clumsily —by placing a roll of notes Norah’s father misplaced in Larry’s pocket. The theft is discovered when Farmer Doyle hands over an empty wallet to Squire O’Daly in payment of a debt. A search is made and the notes found on Larry, who after a most dramatic scene is disowned by his father. The parting of the lovers is tragic, but everything is satisfactorily adjusted by Captain Downes admitting his despicable trick. It can hardly be said that the theme has much merit or that the construction of the play reflects the handiwork of a successful dramatist, yet there is an atmosphere of rustic Ireland that kindles patriotic fervour, and there is romance enough to hold attention. The sentiment was somewhat forced but was happily relieved by a strong admixture of Irish humour which kept the audience in a constant ripple of merriment. Despite crudities and shortcomings it must be admitted that “A Romance in Ireland” has the virtue of being simple and wholesome drama of the class which makes a strong appeal to that large section of the public who want thrill, relaxation and amusemeßjt for the coin they part with at the theatre door. Mr Allen Doone, as the central figure of the play (Larry O’Daly) possesses the happy knack of immediately getting on good terms with the audience and by his interweaving of pathos and humour holds attention and earns rounds of applause. Miss Edna Keeley was charming and vivacious and acquitted .herself admirably as a sweet colleen, although at times her brogue was foreign to Ireland. Mr Tom Buckley Bid well with his part of Farther

O’Flynn, and the remainder of the company enacted their "parts with moderate success. To night “Molly Bawn” will be Staged and this will carry the season to a close on Saturday. GEORGE MARLOW’S DRAMATIC COMPANY. “A GIRL’S TEMPTATION.” (With the hall-mark of a big metropolitan success upon them, the George Marlow Company will make their appearance in His Majesty’s Theatre on

Monday, March 18th, in the latest and one of the biggest dramatic successes that the Australian stage has seen for some considerable time, entitled “A Girl’s Temptation. ’ The authoress, Mrs Morton Powell, claims to expose some of the temptations which beset most young girls who go out into the world to earn an honest living; hence there would appear to be some ground for the statement that “A Girl’s Temptation” has been written “by a woman for women.” Mr Marlow is sending to this town an organisation second to no other dramatic combination in Australia, and judging by the success achieved by the drama and the praise bestowed upon the artists,

there would appear to be good grounds for the assertion. In reviewing “ A Girl’s Temptation,” a prominent critic said: —“After having witnessed “A Girl’s Temptation” one may easily understand why it is that at present the piece is drawing crowds nightly to the London theatres. It has aptly been described as a remarkable drama. But it is something more. It is a daring and most skilful handling of decidedly Zolaesque materials, cleverly sugarcoated with farcial comedy, and rounded .off with numerous thrilling situations. The authoress has taken her materials from real life, and placed her characters on the stage of 'W

every-day life. The result is an olla podrida of comedy, farce, and tragedy, which is screamingly funny, and at • same time sufficiently interesting to hold the attention of a crowded house through four acts and many fine scenes.” “A Girl’s Temptation” has also been described as the most appealing play of modern times, and in so far as it appeals to the public, Mr George Marlow has very good reasons for believing this is the truth, for big business has been done everywhere this drama has been staged. The full metropolitan company and complete scenery and effects as used in Melbourne will be used in the presentation cf the drama here. The box plan,

where the booked seats are one shilling extra, is at Wildman and Arey’s.