'DOROTHY'O THE HALL.'

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2433, 12 April 1915, Page 7

'DOROTHY'O THE HALL.'

A TALE OF OLDEN DAYS "Dorothy o' the Hall," a four-act play, dramatised from tho novel of Charles Major. Cast:— Sir George Vernon J. B. Atholwood Sir Malcolm Vernon Allan AVilkie Lady Vernon Ada Guildford The Earl of Rutland Stuart Clyde Sir John Manners H. R. Roberts Perkiu Clarence Blakiston William Cecil Hodgson Taylor Sir William St. Loe Oriel Johnston William Dawson William Ladd Elizabeth Tudor Beatrice Esmond Mary Stuart Nancye Stewart Jennie Faxton Agnes Keogh Dorothy Vernon Nellio Stewart

There is jpo evidence of the spirit of adventure seeking the untrodden (theatrical)- path in Miss Nellie Stewart's latost and most interesting production, "Dorothy o' the Hall," as but for the twist in th 3 title tho present management gives it, tho play is "Dorothy Vernon, of Haddon Hall," which was played here a- few years ago by the Williamson Company, of which Miss Titfcel Bruno was the head, and the story on which it is based is one of some antiquity. As with many things antique, the medieval narrative of the plighting of Dorothy Vernon, on which Paul Keater has founded his play,' abounds with that sweet illusive charm and tho fragrance of lavender and eglantine of roses red and white, that 6peak of the England of "Good Queen Bess's golden days." Of the days when gentry went a-hawking, and weddinp were made between families even as the contracting parties mouthed and mumbled in their cradles, and men had to guard their tongues in talking politics if they would have the heads that held them. A royal flavour is added to the play by tho excellent portraits presented of Queen Bess and her fair rival, Mary Queen of Scots. It was a clever 6troko to involve the pathetic person of Mary Stuart in the plot of the play, and that it is done without a creak or wrench is to tho credit of tho dramatist. Dorothy Vernon is a winsome, wayward miss, and as one of itho greatest heiresses in England, as well as for her remarkable beauty, she is courted far and wide. Old Sir George Vernon has promised his daughter to the son of the Earl of Rutland, Sir John Manners, when both wero in their 6waddling clothes, and the families were more than friendly, and should thj compact not be made good on Dorothy's eighteenth birthday, Sir George was to giv© Rutland two of his Derbyshire manors and a thousand crowns in gold. By the 'time Dorothy is eighteen, Sir George, now at feud with the Rutlands, has forgotten the compact, and has become bent on his daughter marrying her cousin, Sir Malcolm Vernon, whose suit is urged by his mother, who resides at Haddon Hall. Comes the day when Sir Malcolm 6hould arrive from ScotlandDorothy's birthday. Into tho merrymakers' circle on the green enters a dusty jester, who bears a message from Rutland, saying that his master, young Sir John, was coming that day to claim Dorothy or the forfeiture. The message is regarded as an insult, and tho jester is about to swing for his temerity in venturing upon Vernon lands, when he ia rescued by Dorothy. Sir John arrives, later, and, ascertaining from the fool how the land lies, decides to impose himself on the Vernons as Sir Malcolm. Thus ho-meets Dorothy, wins her heart, and the favour of old Sir George, whon suddenly the real Sir Malcolm is announced. Consternation ensues, and Dorothy, now enamoured of Manners, shields him by denouncing Sir. Malcolm as an impostor. This only serves until the latter's mother arrives. Manners resolves to escape, and take Dorothy with him, as he has a mission to see Mary Stuart safe to the coast that same night. When about to escape the lovers are discovered, and Sir George fells Manners to the floor with the end of his.riding crop. Upon this turbulent scene enters Queen Elizabeth, who demands to know what it all means. Manners is .denounced by Sir Malcolm as the guardian of Mary Stuart, and his .life is like to be forfeited but for Dorotliy, who in her agony promises to cajole from her lover tho hiding place of the Scottish Queen. Sho does this as the young man regains consciousness in the hearing of them all. Mary is at Rutland Castle. The hunt starts, but Dorothy, having betTayed the honour of her lover to save his skin, now leaps into action to save Queen Mary. In a sorvant'a disguise she gallops off to Rutland, and alarms tho Queen of the peril, and as the Queen slips away Dorothy dons her veil, and, impersonating Queen Mary, gains full knowledge of Sir Malcolm's treachery. In the end Queen Mary appeals to hor sister in vain, the Rutlands escape tie block, but young Sir John is banished to Wales for a year. He i 6 about to take his reluctant leave when daring Dorothy descends from her casement, looking a picture in doublet and hose and away the two gallop over the fields of Derbyshire to paradise. Here is a infinitely better in construction and written and moulded with more insight into tho speech and manners of the times than "Du Barry"; moreover, the company is remarkably suited to its every demand. -Miss Nellie Stewart fully sustains hor reputation as an actress of astounding vitality' and charm, and, everything considered, her 1 perlormance leaves' one amazed at tho art 6ho commands in so perfectly simulating the gait, the figure, and the sunny spontaneity of youth. Hor Dorothy Vernon will rank as one of the most adorable portraits in the Stewart gallery enshrined in the memory of local playgoers. Mr. J. B. Atholwood presented a remarkable character 6tudy as the choleric. Sir George, making him a coarse, roughtongued, country squire of full habit, witli a vulnerable soft side where Dorothy was concerned. His make-up was masterly, and there was never a tone or gesture that was not part of tho man impersonated. Mr. Harry Roberts cut a pleasing figure as Sir John Manners, but looked rather effeminate in his feathered hat and smooth boyish face. He acted with rare intelligence throughout. Mr. Allan Wilkie made a bluff picturesque Sir Malcolm, and the little Mr. Blakiston had to do as the jester was done with the acumen of an artist. Miss Beatrice Esmond in the wide-spreading skirts of the Virgin Queen, acted the part with bold assertiveness and looked it. Miss Nancy Stewart made Mary Stuart a sweet wistful figure, and spok'o the lines as to the manner born. Other parts were capably acted by Miss Ada Guildford. Miss A'gnos Keogh, Messrs. Stuart Clyde, and Hodgson Taylor. The play is splendidly mounted and costumed, and every act presents a number of glowing scenes, alive with the spirit of tho times. "Dorothy o' the Hall" will give way on Wednesday evening to a revival of "Sweet Nell of Old Drury."