"The Banshee."

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 339, 14 June 1894, Page 2

"The Banshee."

A For some little time pnst the topic of conversation in Feilding has been the " Banshee," the title given by Mr S. Knight to his new Irish ComedyDrama, aud on its production last night in the Assembly Rooms, for the first time, there was a very large audience present, the house being packed in all its parts, which was ample proof of the interest taken in the play. Mr Knight had entrusted the revision and production of his drama to Mr Lawrence Dunbar, that well-known actor, and so successful had the latter been in his arrangement that its initial production last night was a decided success, and both the writer of the play and the manager must have felt very gratified with the enthusiastic reception which was accorded it. Mr Dunbar had many difficulties to contend with, the chief of which was the incompleteness of the stage fittings, these being alto gether inadequate to enable the play to be staged as it should be. However, before the rising of the curtain this was explained to tlie audience, and they were asked to overlook auy little shortcomings they might detect. A resume of the play has already been published so it is not necessary to again mention it here. The plot is well laid, and the audience is enabled to grasp the situations from commencement and follow them right through. Mr L. Dunbar gave a capital impersonation of Squire Egan (owner of Balhmana). He acts with the greatest ease, and has a thorough comprehension of the character which he has in hand, and so successful was he in representing a callous and brutal husband that he was at times greeted with groans. Miss Helen Fergus has made a name for herself for her clever act iug, and the manager was fortunate in securing her services. In her representation of " Kathleen " (the Squire's wife) her acting was much admired ; she was altogether suited to the character, and maintained the sympathy of the audience right through. Two laughable characters — which were well filled — were those of " Molley O'Reilly " (Miss A. Norn's) and " Paddy Moylan " (Mr F. Keen). The humorous portions of the play were entrusted to these two, and they were successful in keeping the audience in fits of laughter. Miss Norris acted with a naturalness which is seldom found in an amateur, while her bye-play was capital. Mr Keen was in the right place as " Paddy." He is quite at home on the stage, while he never misses an opportunity to show a good point in his part to advantage. Miss A. Keen was successful in her impersonation of " Kate Desmond " and she took her part very creditably indeed. Miss M. Tuohy made a charming " Alice Melville." The same young lady also represented the " Banshee " in various portions of the play. The other characters were taken by Mr F. N. Ford, as "Dumpy Mullins " who acted the part of a murderous villain to perfection, and Mr J. Lucre as " Maurice," who made a very " spooney " lover. The comedydrama has been cleverly written, and Mr Knight is to be complimented on the success which he has achieved. The scenery had been painted by Mr Dunbar, and this, especially the moonlight scene, showing the cliffs and mountains in the distance was capitally done. Several appropriate songs were sung during portions of the play by Miss Fergus, Miss Norris, and Mr Keen, each coming iv for a round of applause. Taking into consideration the fact that several of the performers were amateurs, the drama was pro duced in a very creditable manner, going as it did from beginning to end with scarcely a hitch, and tlie audience showed their approval by continued bursts of applause. At the dropping of the curtain Mr Knight, the writer of the drama, was called for, and on appearing on the stage he was vociferously cheered. In a few words he expressed his thanks for the patronage of those present, and for tho enthusiastic manner in whioh they had appreciated his first efforts. Mr Haybittle's string band contributed some choice selections of music during the evening. The drama should be repeated at an early date.