THEATRICAL REALISM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1883, 3 July 1888, Page 3

THEATRICAL REALISM.

The latest novelty ln theatrical realism Is than described by the " San Francisco Chronicle" In a notice of the first performance of a* new play entitled "A Dark Secret " ;— " The Interest of the scenic portion of tbe play centres around the water scenes m tbe third and fourth acts, snd no scenes of more complete realistic effect have beed presented on the San Franclsoo stage. The hero of the drama, Martin Brooke, who Is entered for the diamond sculls, has had his arm lamed on the morning of the raoa by Stephen Norton, and at the last moment Henry Petersen, the well-known oarsman of this elty, makes his appearance and defeats the villain Stephen, and wins the race. Tht finish of tbe race', is exhibited to the andience, not by the nenal stage devices, but by Petersen rowing his shell aoross the line on real water, while boats and canoes and a steam launch ply about m the vicinity. But the interest m the water scene ia heightened ln the fourth *o* t when Stephen throws May Joyce bodily into the water, to conceal the evidence of a murder he has oommltted, which evidence she has m her possession. Bhe sinks onoe, and a second time, and as abe is about to *\-k a third time, Martin Brooke takes a header from ihe bow of a wherry m wbioh he is being rowed on the river, eelies the drowning girl and supports her until the boat can come to their assistance. These two scenes are not only realistic, they are real, as the dripping blo>hei of May and Martin testify." It may be added that the actress who, as the heroine of this piece, nightly Indulges m this plunge-bath, was onoe well known |n Melbourne, viz., Hiss Annie Mayor.