QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3920, 16 September 1875, Page 2

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Apother of Mr Darrell's dramatic compositions. "The "Trump Card," was produced at the Queen's Theatre last evening. This play we consider superior in merit to either of the same gentleman's former pieces—" Under the Ban ' and " The Struggle for Freedom "-h as much as the interest never flag* and the dim*x is not reached until the close of the third act, whenthe green curtain falls. The drama is a i-eculiar one, including as it does in a greater or less decree the characteristics of melodrama, comedy, and tragedy. There are, however, some capital situations';and effective tableaux. The dramatic portion of the play may be thus sketched ;-Mr George Heathcote (Mr Musgrave), an old and infirm lawyer, has m j his employ his stepson John Burgess (Mr Clinton), and a confidential clerk and dependent named Edward Fowler (Mr;Stoneb-.im). His family consists : of; ,Eliza ;Heathcote (Miss Vivian), his second wife, and Burgess's mother; Richard Heathcote (Mr Darrein, his nephew ; and Kate Heathcote (Miss Willis), his ! niece. Burgess, a sanctimonious hypocrite, and very hke the Joseph Surface of "School for bopndal," and Richard, a rollicking, easygoing but dissipated follow, in fact, a second L-narles Surface, are both aspirants to the hands of Kat« _I he old lawyer finding his step-son to be a lying, scheming, fellow, determines to leave the bulk of his property to Richard, and makes a will to this effect. Burgess steals the will andasumofmoney.aMdimmediatelyaftenvards fights with hichard.nnd drops the will, which the latter picks up and pockets. Richard finding that the papers in his uncle's safe were disarranged, proceeds to re-arrange them and to lock the safe, when ho is surprised by old Heathcote, and accused of robbery. The will is found in his possession, and he is disiuheriLed. Burgess finding that a codicil has been attached to the will in his favor determines to kill the old man ere he has time to relent and poisons him, but is overseen by Fowler lhe tiumpcarri," the old will, handing all the deceased * property over to hicharil, is secured by i<owler-a.partner to Burgess's villainy. Both charge Richard with the inr.rder, and he is cast into prison, but effects an escape, and visits his old haiiiit-the "Frisky Frows"— where he is sheltered. Burgess then thinking that all has ended in his favor, "cuts" the acquaintance of hi-i old companion Fowler who threatens retribution. Richard, with the assistance •;,' .certain Professor Cullymou (Mr Saville) though a professor of what the audience are in ignorance of, gets possession from him of the will of his uncle, and learns that the latter was poisoned by Burgess. In the final act, Burgess finding that Kate, who has become heiress to Old lLjathcote'sproj.eity, reject? Jiw offers of marriage and still retains her love for Richard, tries to murrfw her i.y administering poison in her Physic but i, detected by Richard and tried for the o'd man's murder. The drama ends with the happy re-union of Kate and Kichard. lhe acting on the whole was very good, but there were a few hitches, in--2£ en «li,*° a fi!st ni « nt ' s performance. Miss \V ilhs, owing to the continued illness of Mrs Darrell, wa.s called upon to play the leading female part—that of Kate Neville—and although undoubtedly everweighted, she gave as good a representation of the part as could be .expected. The only other female charaoterwas ably filled by Miss Vivian. Mr Darrell, as luchard Heathcote, had a most trying part, and the able manner in which he sustained it fairly entitled him to the large amount of ap plau*e bestowed on him. tie introduced a couple of songs in the course of the evening, both of which were well rendered. Mr Stoneham surprised us by his acting in the part of cue confidential clerk. His "make-up" was really excellent, his facial expression exceedingly amusing, and his playing as the tottering drunkard most ludicrous. Mr Mus-rave only appeared in the first act; but of course what little he had to do was capitally performed. Ml '. Saville is certainly entitled to a word of praise for his capital speech to his fellow men at the "Frisky Frogs." This gentlemen is » very painstaking actor, and a very usemi member of the company. The audience, although exc< edingly sparse, were very liberal in their applause, and there was a general call before the curtain at the close of each act The management have wisely determined to repeat Ino 1 rump Card " to-night, and we expect to sea a large attendance. Mr Darrell uni.ouuces his farewell benefit fortrnh.y when Hiehard 111., with a strong cast, will be presented. As many ai e anxUis to see Air Dan-ell in ;he part of the royal huuch back, and as this will be the last appearance but one of Mr and Mrs Darrell, there ou*ht to be a crowded hovise.