THE VIVIANS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2206, 22 August 1889, Page 2

THE VIVIANS.

The Vivian Dramatic Company opened their season here, at the Oddfellows' Hall, last night, with "Lady Audley's Secret." The drama is too well-known to need any explanation, and we may at onoe proceed to Bay that its representation last night was followed with great interest by a well-filled house, and that many of the situations were very powerfully represented. Miss Vivian's rendering of tbe character of Lady Audley was m the first act very exaggerated m aotion, and when the curtain fell on the scene at the well, where her ladyship attempts the desj truotion of her first husband, the tragio muse tottered on her throne among the audience, The subsequent scenes were more conventionally depioted, and showed Miss Vivian to be an aotress cf great intensity, and possess- j ing great dramatio force. The oonoluding soene where Lady Audley, overtaken by ' Nemesis, loses her reason was an extremely vivid characterisation. Mr Vivian gave his own reading of the oharaoter of Luke Marks, making him a less sinister, but more laughterprovoking oharaoter than is usually depioted Pbwbe his muoh suffering wife was well played by Miss Maud Durand; Miss Christina Tennyson gave a natural rendering of Alicia Audley ; and Mr W. J, Beresford was a manly Bobert Audley, Tha drama was followed by what was desoribed as a " humorous, farcical oomedy " \ entitled '• Sam," m whioh the incidents ' arising from the well-worn stage artifioe of mistress and maid and master and servant respectively changing parts kept the audience m a roar of laughter. Mr Vivian, as Sam, and Miss Vivian as Martha were responsible for molt of the merriment, especially during their temporary assumption of the characters of Sir Everton Toffee (Mr Beresford) and Miss Charlotte Bubsc (Miss Tennyson). William, a waiter (Mr Haroourt) contributed to the amusement by his eooentiioities. This evening East Lynne will be played, with Miss Vivian m the parts of Lady Isabel and Madame Vine,' whioh are Miss Vivian a best impersonations, as she is Baid to be the best representative of these characters.