"TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE.”

Evening Star, Issue 4205, 18 August 1876, Page 3

"TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE.”

The above is the title of George Darrell’s original four-act drama to bo presented s,t the Queen’s Theatre on Monday evo- nig. Tbe action com-nr-nees in New South Wolea in 1851, the scenebeiug 1-dd on’Brickflcid Hill, Sydney. The hero of the (day, Hubert Chandos, who has been “ transported for life” for the supposed murder by poisou of an old miser, has just received his ticket-of-leave. after serving seven year. Chandos has been followed to the Auatralias by Edith Vaughan, who was under enggement of marriage to him prior to his committal for murder. Faithful to her lovo, she remains true to Chandos. With her lives her younger sister Nelly, James Tyrrel and William S’ames, both medical men, formerly attached to the same hospital in London with Chandos, ore also in the Colony. Tyrrel, formerly a lover of Edith’s, was by her rejected, and partly from revenge, partly through fear of discovery, ho (assisted by SOftme.s) fixes the crime of murder ou Chnudos. The release of the latter finds all tho former friends associated in Sidney. Tyrrel having renewed his protestations of love to Edith, is again rejected, and in pique thereat he publicly proclaims Hubert to be a convict; a scene of mutual recrimination ensues, and tho first act ends with a powerful situation. The second act, open on the Ophir diggings, in Now Sou'h'Wales. Tyrrel has sold up Edith Vaughan, and is relentless in bis pursuit of vengeance against hia favored rival Chandos. A Suspicion now arises in tho mind of the hitter that Tyrrel was guilty of the crime for which he Chandos, had been punished. .Impressed with this ide , he proposes to forward the proceeds of his share of the cffiim Home, for the purpose of placing the author! 1 ie* o>>. the track of Tyrrel. Tyrrel hears of this, and, fearing danger, ariC-mptc t li <a life of Chandos, aided by bis accomplice Soatnes. Here ensues a viriruble _ diggings sensation scene, thoroughly new to the scigO, which cannot he briefly described; suffice it to siy that Chandos is rescued in the nick of time by Edith. Tho notion of the third net takes place at sea. Edith j accompanied by CliandoP, is pi oeeeaing to Enel and claim !noa»y left her and assise in procuring evidence favoring her lever Chandos’s iunoccnc. Tyrrel and Sonnies arc passengers by the Same vessel. The former discovers Chaudos through Ids dhgniso, and threatens Edith to denounce him as an escaped oonviot unless she cons- n! s to acknowledge hiin as her husband. Edith, fearing her lover’s safety, agrees, and lyiro-1 and G.ames by a deep concerted pi Usi arrange he? dcStiU-. i'.cu, intending, aft r arriving in England, to claim the money and make good their escape to America. Edith is chloformed and thrown through the atcru port of the Vessel. Hubert, who is pacing the deck above, bears the splash, and amidst.'general excitement plunges into tho Ocean after her. The snip sails on, and they are both apparently lost. The end of the act dir-novers them alone on the deep, and after all hope appears to have vanished they are again miraculously saved. The drop falls upon tho double Sensation. The last act finds all the characters la England, Tyrrel, representing himself as tho husband of Edith, claims tho money left her i at tho moment all seems to thrive well with the vidian and his accomplice. Edith, acct-mpniiiefl by Hubert, her sister, and other friend-, arrives on the scene. Mailers are now complicated, and Scames, seeing that, the game is up, betrays his accomplice Tyrrel as the real murderer cf tho rcisr-r, for whoso death Ilumnt had been unjustly condemned. .Tr.s.ico ensues, and patience and virtue are rewarded. There are numerous incidents throughout the drama of an exciting aud sensational order, and the leading characters are well supported, the comic element being especially strong. The drama affords great scope for scenic aud mechanical elects—'.he diggings, ship, and cccen scenes being full of material. The language is entirely original, as is thepiot, of which the foregoing is necessarily but a scant review. Mr Willis aud staff have been energetically engaged in preparations for the production ji the drama for the past eight or ten days, and as fha author pronounces the drama his best effort, we can but anticipate a success.