ROB ROY MACCRECOR.
The Aehburiou Oaledouiau Soo'ety some time ago deoMed upon producing the operatio drama. Rob Hoy MacGregor, and it has been under active rehearsal with the result that it will be presented od Wednesday and Thur> day next. It ib almost supetfldous to mentit n that the drama is adopted from Sir Walter Hooti'a famous novel of .he Bame name ; but a brief outline ( f the plot m»y not be out of place. Tha head of the commercial houao of OBbaldiatone and 00, Orane Alley, London, is dtsirou* that his^ son Francis should have a partnership interest This prospect proving distasteful to the young man, ho Is commanded by his stern father to leave his presence and repair to his uoole, Sir Hildebrand Osbadistone, who resides m the north of England. In Kir HUdebrand's family are Kashleigh Osbaldlatono, the elder son, and Diana Vernon, who, with her father, Sir Frederick Vernon (a Jacobite m disgni f ), have taken up their abode at the Hall. Kashleigh, who has been eduoated for tbe Ohuroh, but who la an adopt m ouaning language and deception, is ambitious tor an alliance whh Miss Vernon, who, however, does not reolprcoate his sentiments, and further after the arrival of Franois disp aya a marked preference for him. Maddened and revengeful beyond expression, Rashleigh repairs to London at the reqaeet of FranoU f s father, there to take tbe place of Franois m the banking house of Osbaldi3tone and 00., the head of the firm belog called away to the Continent upon urgent business. Raehleigh takes advantage of this opportunity to ab;oond to Glasgow with certain {valuable securities, representing Government bonds, and which if not reoovered would involve the house of Oabaldistone and 00. m ruin Owen, a confidential olerk, is despatched to overtake Rashleigb, and, if possible, recover the papers. He meets Rob Roy, the outlaw, disguised as a drover, m the neighborhood of Osbaldistone Hall, nvd acquaints him with Rashltigb's treiohary. Diana Vernon, who has by some means become aware of Raahlelgh'a conduct, informs Franois, whom she entrusts with a packet, which is not to be opened until a oartaln time before the stolon docu«Y«»> <-miMt be redeemed. Possessed of tin., Fran ais interviews Owen, who explains tbe position of the fi m to Franois, who determines to depart immediately for Glasgow, where he arr Jives and enoouuters Raehleigh. A warm disousilon enaues, recriminations pass, and at the moment they cross their swords Rob Roy appears, and prevents what might have been a sanguinary conflict, after whioh Franois and Raahleigh part. Rob Roy, who has previously met Franois In Glasgow, oonduots him to a cell ia the Tolbooth, where Owen has been imprisoned at the instance of Rashleigh, who has. become aware of the nature of his mission. Hare a meeting takes plaoe between Franois, Owgb, Rob Roy, and Bailie Niooi Jarvie, a merchant and magistrate of Glasgow, who is a cousin of Rob's and an agent of the Osbaldlstone firm. During this iaterview, the picket given by Diana Vernon to Franois Oabaldistono is opened, and found to contain an enclosure to liob Roy, who poa esses himself of It, and acts (a« instructed) wiih the ol'jeot of recovo-ing the loßt documents and assisting m returning them to their rightful owner. The scene next la laid at the Olachan of Aberfoil, at which is a party assembled, consisting of Mao Stuart, Major Galbraith and Rob's faithful gillie, Dougal. The two former are organising measures foi the capture of Rob Roy, The party are joined by Franois Osbaldistone, and Bailie Nicol Jarvie, who are on their way to meet Rob Roy. An animated conversation between the two parties leads to a general sot im mage, which
ends fortunately without much bloodshed. A equad of soldiers, under the command of Captain Thornton, of the King's Royals, then unexpectedly appear, their purpose being the apprehension of Bob Boy, who, it maybe mentioned, has been outlawod by the State. Francis Oabaldistone, Bailie Nicol Jar vie, and Dougal are placed under arrest, the latter being liberated on consenting to lead the military party to Bob Roy's retreat. As they disappear, Bob Boy and Bashleigh Osba'ldiutcne appear. The latter having satisfied himself that the moment is opportune for putting his villainous plan into execution, gives the signal which leads to the capture of Hob. We are next introduced to the pass of Lochnrd and Captain Thornton's party, who are confronted by Helen MacGregor and Highlanders. As may be expected, a conflict ensues, which results m the victory of the Highlanders. Jn the next scene Helen, hearing the pipes approaching playing the Lament, and enquiring the cause, is informed by Hamish and' Bobert (the MacGrogor's sons) of the capture of her husband, whereupon she utters threatß of vengeance, and orders the pipers of the clan to play the Lament. As the strains of the Lament die away, Bob rushes m, he, with the aid of a friend, having been released from his captors. The various incidents now follow closely upon each other, and finally result m the total defeat and expulsion of the remainder of the Boldiers, and an. encounter between Bob Boy and, Bashleigh, who falls m a claymore contest with Rob. Diana Vernon and Franc' 8 Osbaldistono are betrothed by Sir Frederick Vernon, the eentence of outlawry is removed from the MacGregor, the Bailie is rejoiced, and all ends happily. The drama, which, of course, is essentially Scottish m character, consists of three acts and thirteen scenes, some of which have been painted for the occasion from plotograpbs, and will recall to many the scenes where tradition reports the " Bold outlaw to have nourished — midst tho heather's sweet fragrance and bloom."
Tho drama is liberally interspersed with some of the gems of Scottish pong, pipe inarches, reels, &o. The costumes have beon procured at great expense, and no pains nave been spared m tbo getting-up of the scenic effects. The characters have been all carefully ul lotted, and there m no doubt that those m whore hands they have been placed will give a faithful interpretation of the author's conception on .Wednesday and Thursday next.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18870125.2.7
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1465, 25 January 1887, Page 2
Word count
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1,027ROB ROY MACCRECOR. Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1465, 25 January 1887, Page 2
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