'THE SHAUGHRAUN.'

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 50, 13 December 1900, Page 29

'THE SHAUGHRAUN.'

It is in rarely that such a large audience has been Been in the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, as was present on Wednesday night of last week, when the members of the Catholic Literary Society, assisted hy several friends, produced Boucicault's evergreen drama 'The Shaughraun.' The house was packed in every part, aud even standing room was scarcely obtainable. The majority of our readers are conversant with the piece, and have very likely seen it staged with the versatile author himself in the title ro!c. or perhaps the late Grattan Riggs poitraying in bis own inimitable style the happy-go-lucky Conn. To these the idea of iimateura producing such a piece uiigLL bcuu over ambitiou« Tt would be hardly correct to say that the production under notice came up to the highwater maik o£ prof<j»!.ionalism, but, on the other hand, it is no exaggeration to claim it to be a really capital amateur performance, in which there were few, if any, weak points. The object of the production was to assist the funds of the St. Vincent de P»nl Orphanage, South Dunedin, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, and this no doubt helped to a great extent in bringing together such a large audience, as there are few people in Dunedin who do not know of and fully recognise the good work carried on in that institution. Bat apart from this, a good many persons went there because they wanted a few hours' legitimate amusement, and one and all admitted that they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If they attended with the determination to overlook deficiencies in acting or staging they were pleasantly disappointed, for no allowances were required, the play going with a splendid swing from start to finish that put it on a plane with the best productions by local talent. The title role was filled to perfection by Mr H. McCormack, whose conception of the character was a revelation even to those who were acquainted with the actor's histrionic abilities. Conn is the central figure — the life of the piece it might be said — and no better portrayal of the happy-go-lucky Irishman has been seen on the stage here for a long time. Mr McCormack's acting was distinguished by spontaniety, rollicking humor, and a complete effaoement of self, which gained for him rounds of applause. Miss McLauchlan's presentation of Arte O'Neill was marked by a naturalness that gained for her efforts the warm appreciation of the audience. A character that wa=» filled with great vivacity and finish was that of Clare Ffolliott by Mit?s|Rose Blaney. Miss M. Blaney, as Moya, was a very graceful and winning colleen, and nothing could be more natural than the presentation of Conn's mother by Miss A. Heley, who made a decided success of the character. Coming back to the male characters Mr. Pavletich's fine stage presence fitted the part of Robert Ffolliott to perfection, and Mr. James Hill made a dignified Father Dolan.. As Captain Molineox Mr B. G Steveus was highly successful. The unpopular part of Harvey Duff, iell to Mr. R. Phillips who pUyed the difficult and unpopular part of the police s-py with a marked degree of ability. Those who have had any acquaintance with a claßa which is at the present time MlintK-t extinct in Ir.-lani — the yquireens — will readily admit that Mr. J. Black gave a very faithful representation of the aggressive, bumptious, and unscrupulous Oorry Kincheila, his acting being distinctly good. The minor parts, which were taken by Misses Clancy. Hanrahan, Winnie McCormack, and Messrs. Campbell, Pabtoreih, I). Beard, Ward, M. Cougblan, L. McCormack and others, were admirably filled. Little Miss Winnie McCormack's clever dancing was received with the t-trongeft manifestations of popular approval. It might be truly said that the of the actors were letter perfect, the absence o f w hioh ;•* often a serious hindrance to the success of a play. The Kaikoroi l>ind, under the direction of Bandmafeter Stratum, marched ir>m the Octagon to the Theatre, daring which they played home choice selections. In conclusion it i^ only right to mention that the duties of coach acd stage manager weie admirably filled by Mr. T. Anthony. • The Shaughraun ' waa repeated on Saturday might when it was again witnessed by a large audience. The Dramatic Club an<l their friend-* who assisted in the production have been warmly congratulated on the great success) which has attended what might be termed their two first public performances of an entire diauia.