HIS MAJESTY’S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1294, 11 February 1915, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY’S.

“UNDER TWO FLAGS.” There are always new generations of theatregoers coming along to justify the presentation of an old play like “IZnder Two Flags.” With its military atmosphere depicting the French and British armies rubbing shoulders in Algiers, the present European crisis makes it particularly apropos, and a crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night' showed the wisdom of its selection by the George Willoughby Dramatic Company for their opening piece. Most' people are familiar with the story Onida has made famous so many years ago. Bertie Cecil Royellieu, in an act of self-abnegation renounces his inheritance and bears the burden of his weak-spirited brother’s guilt. He escapes from the country, leaves the Guards and fights under the French flag, hiding his identity for twelve years in Algiers under the name of Louis Victor. Here he makes himself conspicuous for bravery, and finds a most ardent worshipper in “Cigarette,” the vivandiere of the regiment. The Englishman is hated by the colonel of the regiment, “Black Hawk,” who eventually forces him into a duel as the price to pay for the former’s chivalry in defending the honour of Princess Corona. Louis Victor is court-martialled and condemned to death. Cigarette, pleads for his life and obtains a pardon, which, after fearsome traits, she succeeds in reaching through on the morning of the execution. But she pays the penalty. She interposes her body between the hero and the rifle, and gives up her life.

The play provided plenty of scope to purvey the dramatic abilities of Mr. George Cross and Miss Vera Remee, who naturally portrayed the parts of the wronged Englishman and Cigarette respectively. Mr. Cross, whose work is always of noteworthy merit, left no point unplaced, reaching them home to his sympathetic audience with an easy effectiveness and commendable restraint. Miss Vera Remee characterised the role of Cigarette with infinite success, emphasising all the charm and camaraderie of the vivandiere. Mr. Frank Neil as the hero’s valet, Rake, imparted a welcome dash of humour to proceedings and was quite one of the approved figures on the stage with his audience. Mr. Ronald Riley as Lord Rockingham and Mr. Maurice Nodin as Bertie Cecil’s brother, kept well in the picture. Miss Blanche Macpherson’s services were secured at the last moment in place of Miss Oriel Hotson, who was seriously indisposed, and she lent distinction to the part of the Princess Corona. “Under Two Flags” will be replaced on Saturday by George R. Sims’ play “The Ever Open Door,” a piece that is said to appeal to the best in men and women. “THE EVER OPEN DOOR.” The door is that of a London mission house, at which poor and orphaned children can find a haven of rest. The mission is presided over by Father Clement, who is assisted in his good work by. a number cf sisters of mercy. “The Ever Open Door” is a human drama that touches the heart. It begins with the aristocracy and human frailty. Lady Dereham is a woman

with a past. The villain of her period has, for his selfish purposes, led her to believe that, in a fit of madness, she has killed her own child. Suffering from remorse and melancholy, she joins Father Clement’s Mission, of “The Ever Open Door,” for the rescue of London waifs, and is largely instrumental in the resurrection and saving of her son, and how the relationship be-

comes apparent is the main thread of the story. Miss Vera Remee will be seen as Lady Dereham and Mr. Cross as Father Clement, their work in these parts being specially commended by the Australian press.

The Napier Operatic Society has booked the opening dates of the Hastings Syndicate’s new theatre for a production of “The Cingalee.”