The Janet Waldorf Season

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 325, 28 January 1902, Page 3

The Janet Waldorf Season

Great interest is being manifested in the approaching dramatic season of the charming young American actress, Miss Janet Waldorf, and her fine Company, which is to commence at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening next. Miß3 Janet Waldorf is assuredly one of the finest actresses that have over visited the colony—perhaps the finest, for, unlike other leading actresses, sho is visiting the colony in the first flush of her success as a “ star,” and has not, like many others, waited for tbo passe stage beforo playing in the colonies. ■ The New York Sun, on her first appearance, said : “ What can be said of I- Miss Waldorf save in commendation? She possesses a sweet voice and hei enunciation is so clear that her lightest tones were distinctly audible in the uttermost precincts of the auditorium —and yet so soft and musical that they linger on the memory like a June morning. She appeared before a severely critical audience, and was assorted by many to bo the superior of Julia Marlowe.” The Auckland Star openly preferred Miss Waldorf’s “ Camille ” to those of Miss Janet Achurch, Mrs Brown-Potter, and Miss Nance O'Neil, and tho Christchurch Press compared her with favor to the groat Mrs Seott-Siddons. Such flattering criticisms arc the best evidenco of tho rare intellectual and educational

feast to bo afforded by tho company, which is to commence its season on Saturday evening in “Ingomar.” This powerful melodrama is a translation from the German by Miss Marie Lovett, and is considered ono of the finest poetical stage stories extant. Briefly the story deals with the capture of Myron, a Greek | citizen, by a roving band of barbarians who owe allegiance to Ingomar. On hearing tho news that they will not release him unless a heavy ransom be paid, Parthenia, his daughter, after trying in vain to obtain the ransom, bravely resolves to venturo into the mountains and offer herself as hostage for her father. She reaches tho barbarian’s camps, and in responso to her noblo offer, is at first

laughed to scorn, but making a strong appeal to Ingornar is finally accepted, and Myron is allowed to return home. At first Ingornar treats her as other women — to him a necessary evil—but gradually a great love enters his shaggy breast—an emotion he has never experienced—and in his perplexity at the strange heart trouble asks Parthenia what love is, to which she replies in the famous lines, beginning—- “ Two souls with but a single thought, “ Two hearts that beat as one.”

Eventually this great love effects a great change in Ingornar, completely subduing his rude, fiery spirit, until he finally forsakes his tribe, and resolves to escort Parthenia back to Messilia. There he becomes an honorable citizen. Additional interest is lent the play by the loathsome love of the miser Polydore for Parthenia, and the cunning manner in which ho buys up all her father’s debts with the object of ruining him, as the alternative to tho refusal to become his wife. Tne frustration of his plans by Ingornar forms a stirring incident in the drama. Miss Waldorf, as the sweet Greek maiden Parthenia, is said to be absolutely charming in both her appearance and acting, for she is endowed with a graceful figure and carriage, a prepossessing personality, and a voice attuned to depict every emotion. The Ingornar of Mr Norman Macgregor is said to be one of his best performances. The box plan is to open at Miller’s tomorrow morning, and as there have already been many enquiries about seats, there is sure to be a heavy demand before Satur-

day, so that no time should be lost in booking.