HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1146, 28 March 1912, Page 16

HIS MAJESTY’S.

GEO. MARLOW DRAMATIC CO. THE VOGUE OF MELODRAMA. Melodrama still continues to hold sway at His Majesty’s. ‘ A Girl s Temptation” has attracted like a magnet, and was only withdrawn on Wednesday after an eight nights’ presentation. The machinations of the villain (Mr Herbert Linden), and the misfortunes of the heroine (Miss Louise Hampton, and the hero (Mr Cecil Mannering), have been followed with bated breath by crowded audiences, punctuated with heartfelt interjections when the situations overcame them. “THE LUCK OF ROARING CAMP.” “The Luck of Roaring Camp” is a dramatisation of Bret Harte’s wellknown story, and deals with the characters and scenes in California sixty years ago. There is plenty of life in it, and no lack of excitement supplied by gold-diggers, cowboys, lynching parties, and the other thrilling concomitants that go to make up mining life as it was in the early days. Mr Cecil Mannering as Will Gordon and Miss Louise Hampton as the heroine Nell Curtis again hold the strong interest of all with their capital portrayals, while Mr J. P. O’Neill (the. saloon keeper), Mr E. Stephenson, Miss Harrie Ireland, and the minor characters all make good. This interesting mining drama will be played to-night (Thursday) and two following nights. “DRIVING A GIRL TO DESTRUCTION.” As suggested by the title, the above piece, which will be played on Monday till the remainder of the season, has the true melodramatic flavour. “Those who would sup on horror” (remarks a Sydney writer on its recent production) “will find the drama sufficiently highly flavoured to excite the most jaded appetite.” There are the usual man and the maid, two scheming scoundrels, male and female, and four acts teeming with thrills. In the matter of sensations it promises to easily eclipse “A Girl’s Temptation.” “EVERYWOMAN.” A MODERN MORALITY PLAY. More than ordinary interest is being evinced in the forthcoming production of “Everywoman,” which commences at His Majesty’s on Easter Monday under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. “Everywoman” made a great stir in Melbourne and Sydney, and was preached about in the churches. Though a modern

play as regards characterisation and action, it is fashioned after the model of the ancient morality plays, and symbolises the various abstract virtues. “It is not a sermon in disguise (wrote the author), neither is it a quixotic effort to elevate the stage. To every woman who nowadays listens to flattery, goes in quest of love, and openly lays siege to the hearts of men, this play may provide a kindly warning.” Woman’s quest of love is the motive of the play. The principal characters are Nobody, an impressive figure who introduces the play'; Everywoman, who leaves her hqme in quest of love; Youth, Beauty, and Modesty, her companions, who remain with her until she loses all of them; Flattery, who urges her to seek love in New York; Truth, disguised as a witch, who tells her that she will find love only at home; Love, Passion, Time, Wealth, Conscience, Vice, Vanity,

Charity, Age, Greed, Self, Bluff, and others. Miss Hilda Spong, who gained great renown on the American stage, will enact the role of “Everywoman” while Mr William Desmond will take the part of “Nobody.” The play will ibe one of the most sumptuously mounted J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has ever produced.