“STRUCK OIL.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 788, 8 November 1882, Page 2

“STRUCK OIL.”

Last evening Mr Willmott’s Company appeared in “ Struck Oil,” and played to a better house than on the preceding night—a convincing proof that the company is appreciated by Ashburton play goers. “ Struck Oil ” has been so lon before the public, and has acquired such a wide celebrity that any detailed descrip-, tisn of the plot of the piece would probably be superfluous. Let it suffice to say that Mr Wilkinson, as the good natured, easy going Dutchman, John Sto 01, was remarkably successful, having thoroughly mastered the part with all its lights and shades, pourtraying with wonderful fidelity the bro >dly farcical as well as the pathetic side of a very difficult character. His make-up was decidedly good, and his accent perfect. We are accustomed to look .to Mr Wilkinson for humor, because he has proved that he possesses it a hundred times, but we hardly gave him credit for being capable of so much emotional power. His parting with his wife and child, when summoned to-the war, was extremely good, but his return to his native place after the laps? of many years, and his dawning recoll -ctiou of scenes and faces long forgotten, was a remarkably fine piece of acting, and raises him far above the mere buffoon of a burlesque. The Deacon Skinner of Mr John Heaford was also good in its way, although we cannot say the make-up, taken as a whole, a particularly happy one. But Mr Hesford was able to give a very striking pourtrayal of the hypocritical canting Deacon, and his repeated self-accusation, “ Oh, what a wicked man I am ! ” was received with roars of laughter. The Deacon’s, however, is a part very easily overdone, and, without wishing to bo over-criti-cal, we must say that we fancy Mr Hesford slightly exaggerates it. However, it was undoubtedly a clever impersonation. Miss Amy Johns made a pleasing Lizzie Stofal, and her songs, ‘‘.My fader keeps a brewery,” and “ I likes to walk me and also a song and dance, were all loudly encored. The lady who enacted Mrs Stofel, the wife of the hero of the piece, had a very small part, to which, she sue ceeded in doing justice. Mr Herman made an excellent Sergeant Flynn, and his scene with the Dutchman, when he was putting him through his facings at drill, was received with peals of laughter. The o'.her characters do not call for special mention. The applause throughout was frequent and hearty, and when the sanc.iraonioua Deacon is finally “ bowled out,” and John Stofel comes back to claim his finds “ the long dost deed,” the more excitable members of the audience at the back of the hall gave vent to their feelihgs by uproarious cheering. To-night the company will perform in aid of the Library funds, Hhe piece* selected being “ Milky White ” and the burlesque of “ Aladdin.” Such a programme for such an object ought to draw another good house. To morrow night the company will appear for the last time, when Dion Boucicault’s famous drama of the “ Colleen Bawn ” will be placed upon the boards.