HIS MAJESTY'S.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1298, 11 March 1915, Page 34

HIS MAJESTY'S.

“DOROTHY O’ THE HALL.” The old romantic play of the Elizabethan period “Dorothy o’ the Hall” a new version of “Haddon Hall.” which went up on. Mondav. serves to show Miss Nellie Stewart in another of her masterpieces. The heroine Dorothv Vernon, is one of those complex characters which gives Miss S +<> wart full r'lav to delineate each Phase of varying eniotion. And to each she imparts a deb'clonsness peculiarly her own—m her moods, wavward, cdnu'et+ish. loving and impetuous. The storv is based on one of those old feuds between two county families whose estates adiom one another. the Rutlands and the Vernons, of Haddon Hall, and in accordance with the natural contrariety of things .Dorothy Vernon and S’r John Manners (spn of the Earl of Rutland) love each other. Queen Elizabeth visits Haddon Hall, and threatens. Manners With execution if ho does not betray the whereabouts of. Mary Queen of Roots, whom she' suspects of intrigue. Dorothv. being told there is only one chance to save Manners’ life, entices him to tell her where Marv Stuart is. and then betravs the information to Queen Elizabeth. Stirring incidents follow closelv upon each other and strong dramatic interest, heightened bv picturesauelv spectacular effects, is well maintained, the scenery being notably worthy of the production. < ' • Miss Nellie Stewart is the dominating 'figure. As Dorothy she scores another artistic triumph. Irresistibly fascinating in her love scenes: highly : amusing, in her passages-at-arms with her bluff father: vivacious and resourceful in her intrigues. Miss Stewart drew in every part, light and dramatic, with . skilful and . convincing . touch. Mr. H. R. Roberts, as S’r John Manners, was truly “fashioned to a ipdv’s taste,” and made an attractive lover, well worthy a sea of troubles. Mr. Clarence Blakiston seceded from his kingly role to assume the more lowly part of Perkin, the tester, stamping it with his personality and imparting to it a distinctiveness and power that onlv true art could give. Miss Nancye Stewart made a very charming study of Mary, Queen of Scots, portraying the character with artistry, and giving impressive word value to her last speech. Mr. J. B. Atholwood was irascible enough as Sir George Vernon to easily justify his daughter’s revolt. Mr. Allan Wilkie, as the treacherous Sir Malcolm Vernon, Miss Ada Guildford as Lady Vernon, and Miss Beatrice Esmond as the vain and arrogant Elizabeth, acquitted themselves with aptitude. “SWEET NELL OF OLD DRURY.” Miss Nellie Stewart’s admirers will eagerly welcome a revival of “Sweet Nell of Old Drury,’ which will be played on Thursday and two following nights, the season closing on Saturday. Miss Stewart’s characterisation of Nell Gwynne (says a Melbourne critic) appears to have improved with the years that have lapsed since she made her first go at success in the part. Each phase of the character is shown by little touches of by-play and facial expression rather than by accented word or emphasis. In short, what was always a great performance has been mellowed by repetition and experience into a rendering in which it would be difficult to pick out a flaw. Mr. Clarence Blakiston will be seen for the first time in New Zealand as King Charles, a part which is said to suit him admirably. His fine work in the previous pieces leads one to await it with pleasurable anticipation, Mr. Blakiston having made a careful study at Home, so that every detail should be historically accurate.

“Neptune’s Daughter,” as a picture play, with Annette Kellerman in the title role, packed a Broadway theatre for 300 nights.