MR. GRATTAN RIGGS AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 38, 8 July 1892, Page 20

MR. GRATTAN RIGGS AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

BOTJCICATJLT's play of the " Shaughraun," with which Mr Grattan Biggs began his season on Wednesday night, the 29th nit, is one of those plays written with the intention of softening the feeling that prevailed in England towards Irish disaffection, if not of wholly overcoming it, and of making the English people acquainted with the grounds that really existed for the dislike of Ireland to their Government. It may be recorded, to the honour of the writer's memory, that the design with which he wrote was in some measure fulfilled, and, doubtless, to some extent the more favourable heaiiog given of later years among the mapses in England to Irißh complaints has been due to this. Another object of Boucicault's Irish plays was that of ridding the theatre of the stage-Irish element, which, in its extreme phases at least, was little amusing, less profi. table, and always most offensive to Irish spectators. Whether the play-wright succeeded in doing this may, perhaps, be questionable but it must be admitted that ha did succeed in placing the heroes and heroines of his Irish plays upon the stage in an attractive form and one well fitted to awaken the interest and gain the sympathy of even a fastidious audience. The plot of the " Shaughraun " deals with the days of Fenianism, and, we may remark in passing, how it incidentally brings before ds the change that the last few years hns brought about. In chiding the traitor of the play, for example whose design has been bo to encumber a certain property that he may himself at length buy it cheap, his accuser charges him with lowering rents in order that the interest on mortgages might not be paid. But w« know the part that high rents, and the mortgages making them needful, have had in the agitation of the present day. Onr readers are, no doubt, for the most part, familiar with the plot of this play. The hero had been transported for Fenianism, leaving, as the agent of his property, a scoundrel, whose design was to rob him and who had brought about his conviction by means of an informer — the famous Harvey Duff, made historic by certain imprisonments under the rule of coercion, it being penal in Ireland so much as to whistle within earshot of a Peeler the air of a song composed in derision of this wretched creature. This scoundrel has bestowed his affections on the convict's betrothed, who, during his absence lives with his sister in seclusion and poverty, aod whom finally an attempt is made to carry off to sea. Conn the Sbanghraun, however, has mads h's way to Australia, succeeded in enabling the prisoner to escape, and accompanied him home to his native place— a district in Sligo. Here he is hunted down by a company of soldiers led by an officer who takes a leading part in the play— falling in love with the convict's sister. The incidents are striking and sensational, and there are many situations that call for the use of beautiful scenery, and form picturesque tableaux. The chief interest of the play centres in the part of the Bhaughraun. The writer has described himself as inspired with it by a chance meeting with a wild adventurer, who, one evening that he bad mißsed bis way in the country near Dublin, and wns in danger of being late to fulfil his engagement at the theatre, had yoked an untrained horse — a race-horse of renown, to a gig and conveyed him at lightning speed to town. Well, people have now and then done straDge things with horses. There was Rairey, for instance. Let us leave the story as we found it. Conn the Bhaughraun is full of fun and devilment — a dare-devil, rattling, roving blade, but kindly and Bimple withal and soft hearted. He has gone to the end of the world after his beloved comrade and master ; he has a good natured manner, and evidently an affectionate feeling for his old mother, and bis respect for hie priest is profound. As to love-making, there he is quite at home. The character, as played by Mr Grattan Biggs, is seen at its best. Comparisons are odious, we know, but we do not think that in this case there is anything of the kind in the matter. It is, perhaps, the exception that proves the rule. We do

not know that, as compared even with Dion Boucicault, whom, nevertheless, we remember in hia prime, Mr G rattan Biggs has much to lose. la fact it would be impossible to imagine a better representation of the character than that which Mr Grattan Biggs gives of it, and in perfection, properly speaking, there are no degrees. In this character there it nothing of the stage Irish elemeat of which we have spoken, In every country and among every people there are originals, or particular types of originals, who, though they are racy of the soil, are still not to be understood as representing the native character generally. Conn the Shaaghrann belongs to such a class. If we do not remember bo complete a development as that found in him, we certainly have known lesser spirits who displayed a good deal of his qualities. It is the stupid, blundering, noisy blockhead — all forced wit, bulls, and vulgarity— intended as a type of the ordinary Irishman of a certain class — peasant or tradesman or squire, against whom we protest. Conn is a peculiar bat not, by aDy means, an impossible development of the Irish peasant, and as such we find him well worth making acquaintance with. A scene in this play, however, into which the objectionable element is introduced, is that of tke W3ke. Here we think the writer made a sad blunder, and altogether misrepresented Irish character and customs. The scene might with advantage be eliminated, the more especially sinca it suggests a degree of stupidity quite impossible among any people in their senses, much more among a quick-witted, sharp-eyed people like the peasantry of Ireland. Of the performers who took part with Mr Grattan Biggs in this play, Miss Maud Appleton acted the part of the artless, i.le«s»nt, and high spirited Irish girl, Olaire Folliott, with admirable expression. Miss E. Leech, one of our local amateurs, as Arte O'Neill, gave a lady-like and intelligent representation of the character, proving her right to professional rank Bhouldjshe desire it. Miss Violet Andrews as Moya was very successful, and Miss A. Anderson as Conn's mother was quite up to the requirements of the part. Mr Bobert Inman played well as Captain Motineux ; Mr J. P. West as Father Dolan was very effective ; Mr Scott Inglis ag Bobert Folliott was particularly manly. Mr Lawienca Dunbar as Corry Kinchella showed a fine aptitude for bringing out the points of a scoundrel ; and Mr Travers Vale as Harvey Duff made himself detestable in a most deserving manner. The lesser parts also were creditably filled. The other plays in which Mr Grattan Biggs appeared during the week were •' Snin Fane," " Arrah-na-Pogue," and " Famine," in each and all of which he performed with exceptional ability. In the last named, ia which he represented Sadler, a bailiff, the character taken by him was one of a grasping and cunning rascal, with all the vices of his clnss, yet possessed also of a good deil of humour. The part served admirably to display the versatility of the actor's talents. Mr Grattan Biges ha 9 been throughout well supported by Miss Maud Appleton aud the other members of his company, each of whom deserves a special word of pra se. The company's season in Dunedin closed on Tuesday night. We understand that they next perform at Invercargill. We can confidently recommend them to the pa'ronagt of our friends in that town.