ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 261, 28 July 1908, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. "HER LOVE AGAINST THE WORLD." "Her Lovo Against the World," tho play (by Walter Howard) with which tho Meynoll and Gunn Dramatic Company commenced',a season at tho Opera House last evening, possesses. all the elements of a popular melodramatic success. It is of the order Huntsman, that had its rise in Anthony Hope's charming play "The Prisoner of Zenda," in that it is bedir.ened with tho princes, princossos,_ general}, and colonels of thoso imaginative principalities that are conjured up in tho ungeogrnphical mind when' one reads in tho canlcs about " Troublo in''the Balkans." Tho story is a good one as melodra? mas go, that well-defined demand for absolute downrightness on tho part of its characters being quite fulfilled. Not for an instant' is the audiencQ loft in doubt that Eric, liarl of Strathmero, serving as a lieutenant in tho Ravensbourg army, is tho hero and that, his implacable enemy, and tho arch fiend of tho play is Nlric, tho reigning princo of that state. It all comes of Lieutenant Strathmero 'saving tho 'beautiful Princess Iris when in danger from accident through a runaway horso. She is grateful, and presents him with a and, as is patent to everyone, with the ring goes tho heart. Princo Ulric, a libertine and ■ coward, desires the Princess for her money, which . alono can save tho. Stato in tho war in which it 13 engaged ■ with Saxonia, and when . Eric breaks barracks to visit his littlo brother (whom Ulric has. ridden down), ho is condemned to a year's imprisonmont, not, however, before ho has had an intorviow with the Princess and returned her ring, which he promises to redeem. After suffering nameless indignities at tho hands of Ulric, Erie is advised on a cortaiu night, to attompt to persuade tho Princess to sign a bethrothal contract,. ho then being at tho end of his financial tether. Tho military prison where Erie is confined is in chargo of Prince Othmar, Ulric's cousin and rival to tho throne, who is persuaded by Eric to escape and ride ahead of Ulric to intorviow the Princess. Tho dramatic scene which follows is' the best in tho play. Eric arrives as the guns announce tho escape of a prisoner. Ho receives, tho Princess's assurance that she will refuse Princo Ulric, and leavos just before tho latter enters to aiinounco that 110 seeks .1 wife and an oscaped prisoner. Iris resists the bold, bad Princo's blandishments, and is assuming a'haughty tono when Eric's capture is announced. In tho sceno that ensues Ulric offers ,to sparo . Eric's life if sho' will sign the betrothal contract, but instead of being discreet she throws herself into Eric's arms. Tho rest is soon told. Eric escapes to tho Sasonian camp, olfers to lead a forlorn hope to capture tho person of Ulric, succeeds by tho exercise of strategy peculiar to -melodrama, and tho play ends with tho downfall of Ravensbourg, a duel in which Eric kills Ulric, and tho reunion of tho Prinooss with her lover.

The dramatist lias laid on tlio colour tliipk, leaving no spnco for -that delicato shading rhich irfight raise suspicion as to the class of play in which "Hor Lovo Against the World" is scheduled. There is a brilliant array of tinted uniforms with lashings of gold laco and frill, clanking swords, threatening revolvers, and military jargon galoro, making up an onsemblo more attractive to the eye than the play is convincing to the intellect. Mr. Harcourtßcatty cuts a smart and dapper figuro as Eric, but weight and dignity, were lacking. The host performance was that of Ulrich by Mr. Gaston Mervale, whoso handsome and sinister appearanco and imperturbable sang froid were strongly convincing. Miss Madge M'lntosh" proved herself an experienced actress as Princess Irjs, and one . who with better opportunities would striko a highor. note than was required last evening. Miss Lizctto Parkes made a capital boy as Nello, and acted in a bright, frank manner entirely pleasing. Miss Hilda Meade made a handsome Shulali (Cinch's inamorata) and .showed finish in her (ieting. Mr. Norman M'Keown as Prjnco Othmar was soldierly in appearanco and solid in his work, which could not bo 3aidof the Saxonian notabilities, who wero evidently short of rohoarsal. Tho comedy of the play was supplied by Messrs. Tom Cannam and Colin Cnmpboll, as Henrich and Fritz Pimpornickel (servants to tho Princess), , and their sweethearts Katinka (Miss Nora Delaney) and Gretehen (Miss Wiunifred Gunn). The play gives occasion for several good sets of scenery,' but'tho'stage looked best whon set as tho Princess's boudoir—a cosy study in pale pink and blue. : "Hor lovo Against the World" will bo played till further notice.

THEATRE ROYAL. , "Fuller's Vaudeville Company appeared before a largo and appreciative audience at tho Theatro ltoj'al last evening. The Levartos, in their genuino star-act took the houso by storm, while Lerona,.tho marvellous trick cyclist, was ill. high popularity. Tho funny sketch artists, Scott and Bc-resford made a successful appearance, and tho remainder of this excellent company were in good, form, tHo programmo 'submitted, being a'really good one. ' HIS'MAJESTY'S. • To-night will bo. tho last . opportunity afforded the public of witnessing tho unusually fine series of cinematograph pictures which.havo been shown nightly to orowded houses by tho Royal Pictures Syndicato at His Majesty's Theatre. A complete change of programme is announced for to-morrow evening. SAILORS' REST. The concert arranged by Mr. Probyn last night for tho entertaini&cnt of tho sailors in port was attended- by a large and appreciative audience. Items wero given by ttio following Misses Barker and Probyn (accompanists), Tumor's Mandolino Quartet, Messrs. Hobmaiv Hood, Stephens, Turrell, Walsh, Probyn, Hood, Sharp,-and Edwards. Each item on the programme was heartily received. The concert for next Monday is being arranged by Miss Benge. SKATING RINK. Thero was a' good attendance at tho Olympia Skating Rink during yesterday's sessions. Another carnival is to bo held oil Ausust !3. , ' ; ' •