MR. W.H. LEAKE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3197, 27 September 1881, Page 3

MR. W.H. LEAKE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

The domestic drama " My Partner " was repeated at tlie Thoatre Eoyal last evening, and although the attendance was not large those present seemed to thoroughly enjoy the performance. To-night will be produced Mr Bartley Campbell's new society play "The Galley Slave." As this is the first time this popular play has been produced in Napier we give a sketch of the plot. The piece opens with a scene of the beautiful water-girfc City of Venice, and introduces a conversation between Wellesley ITapier, and Franklin Fitte, which serves to ' convey some idea of the plot, and to prepare the audience for the after events of the drama. The second act reveals an hotel in Eome, and brings the characters of the first act again before the visitors ; but now the interest begins to be apparent, and gradually increases as the dialogue discloses more of the plot. In thi3 act the incidents of the performance brings Francesca and Cicely Blame together, and during the conversation which ensues Franceses declares that her husband is in love with Cicely, but as no names are mentioned a misconception takes place upon which the whole of the plot is founded. Miss Blame, under the impression that Sydney Norcott is- the husband of Francesca, quits Eome with her friends for y&ris, while the latter seeks her husband

the Baron, who threatens to denounce being a maniac, and thus secures her silence. A year is supposed to have elapsed between the fall of the curtain and itd rise } when the third act commences, and the scene is changed to Paris. An interview between the Baron and Cicely, previous to their marriage, informs him that she still lores Sydney Norcott, but he, too mean in spirit to permit any such sentimentalism to interfere with his projects, insists upon the ifiatt-iage being performed, which is accordingly done. Immediately after the ceremony Sydney appears and Cicely is unde- | ceived. In the conversation, which leads to this result, she unclasps a necklet, a gift of Sydney's, and returns it to him, shortly afterwards fainting. In the confusion which follows, Norcofcfc, who has the necklet lin his hand, is arrested on the charge of stealing it. Out of consideration for the honor of his lo7e, he makes no defence and is sent to the galleys. Francesca, the doserted wife of the baron, driven to desperation by hunger and love for her child, becomes a thief in order that she may feed it, and is also sent to prison which the fourth act reveals. This scene affords Mr Leake some opportunity of displaying his fine ability as an actor, and he takes advantage of it without, howover, seeking after effect. In the fifth and last act the interest of the piece, which has gradually been growing in intensity, reaches its climax, when, "notwithstanding his villanous cunnin", , the baron is identified as the husband of Francesea by Wellesley Napier, which results in tUO happineS3 of the hero and heroine.