" The Silence of Dean Maitland."

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 91, 11 October 1894, Page 2

" The Silence of Dean Maitland."

Of the " Silence of Dean Maitland " to be performed by the Bentley company to-morrow evening in the Assembly Rooms the Wellington Press says :— We have never seen a more crowded and enthusiastic audience than we did last night, within the walls of the Wellington Opera House. We heartily congratulate Mr Bentley on his efforts, for he must indeed have felt his own success when he viewed the kee a interest and perceived the breathless silence that reigned in the house. His conception of the staid English dean was faultless, especially where he disowns his own son in that cool and calm manner, while his heart-strings were ready to burst with remorse and shame, knowing well that his dearest friend was languishing in a convict prison for a crime which he himself had committed. In the last scene, "The Confession," was again a magnificent piece of acting. There was no ranting, and Mr Bentley's deep, pure pathos went straight to the hearts of his audi* ence. We can truly say that we witnessed one of the finest pieces of acting we have ever seen on the Wellington stage. The staging of the Deanery and Cathedral scenes was very creditable.