MORE MELODRAMA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3104, 7 June 1917, Page 8

MORE MELODRAMA

"THE GIKL WHO TOOK THE WKONG TURNING." Obviously tliere are many people who like old-fashioned melodramas. If there were not the theatre-going public would not be treated periodically to such plays as "The Girl Who Took the Wrong; Turning," which was produced by .the' Brandon-Cremer Dramatic Company at the Grand Opera House last evening. The story can be told in the manner of the familiar playbills: Tiue love-the temptation-the stolen notes-the wrong turning—the trusting heart—in haunts of vice—the deceived father—the murdertruth will out—the villain's rewardhomeward bound. The synopsis, of course, is not complete, and it might be varied almost indefinitely without exhausting four acts and twelve scenes that are crammed full of the happenings that go to the making of popular drama. The wronged hero, the loving wife, the wicked woman, the scheming villain, the shaving maiden, the übiquitous funny man, and the impossible policemen are all there, with the usual fixings and etceteras. And for the people who like melodramas, discovering in it, perhaps, a sort of epitome of life in primary colours and words of one syllable, the play may be recommended. Last night a audience undoubtedly enjoyed the adventures of the girl who forsook the shelter of a safe and uneventful home and turned her back upon a faithful and unexciting lover in order to drink champagne in gilded halls with :.. notorious woman and her villainous accomplice. The ramifications of the plot were watched with evident interest, and the eventual triumph of virtue was loudly applauded. The members of the company did their work sufficiently well. Miss Kathleen Arnold took the part of the girl, and played it with considerable ability. Miss Mabel Hardinge spoke pleasantly and looked graceful as the fascinating Vesta.. Lc Clere, and Miss Alice Rede set an excellent example o\ quiet womanliness as the sister who stayed at home. Mr. Maurice 'I uohy was the sailor lover, Mr. George Henderson was the wronged but forgiving disinherited son, Mr. Edgar M'Kenna was the bad mail, and Mr. W. J. Coulter was the reformed convict who assisted to bring the villain's scheme to nought. Must of Ihe comic relief was supplied by Mr. Frank Neil, and several other players filled minor parts. The play was well staged and mounted. It will be repeated this evening. ~