HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1431, 15 April 1905, Page 2

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

McMAHON’S DRAMATIC COMPANY “ TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE.” A FAMOUS PLAY TO-NIGHT—- » TRILBY.” Ab a fitting close to a brilliant season, a notable a notable play will be presented to-night, “ Trilby,” an original dramatization by Mr Darrell of DuMaurirer’s famous work. No story nor play in recent years has oreated a greater sensation throughout the world than has the play in question. In London on its first presentation it wbb received with extraordinary enthusiasm, and ever since has ranked as one of the dramatic successes of the time, the wierd nature of the work eliciting universal interest among playgoers, and much discussion as to rhe probabilities, or otherwise, with the critics generally. The version under notice has everywhere been received .with marked success. The eympathetid treatment of DuMaurier’s main motive proved wonderfail effective. As Svengali Mr Darrell presents an elaborable and carefully thought out study, and in his hands the hypnotic suggestion becomes an artistic realisation. Miss Ada Lawrence will appear as Trilby, one of her most powerful impersonations. Mrs Barry-Lane as Madame Vinard, a vivid and faithful study from the French. Miss Hilda Meade as Mrs Bagot, and Mias May Ronno as Angola, Mr Oily Deering as the Rsv Thoß. Bagot, Mr Boothman as Taffy, Mr Hodson as the Laird, Mr Hawthorne as Gecko, Mr Walsh as Zou Zou, and Messrs Vane, Merriman and Henderson have all achieved great results in their respective roles. All the wardrobe, scenery and effects will be seen to-night, and a great production is safely promised by tho MacMahon management.

There was a large attendance) at His Majesty’s last night, when Mr George Darrell’s drama 11 Transported for Life ” was produoed. Aooording to the story Bob Bagot (Mr George Darrell), a miner of generous nature and blameless life, and his wife (Mrs Barry Lane), adopt the infant daughter of a mate who is killed by falling down the shaft, and bring her up as their own. A charming young lady, she fascinates Julian Laseelles (Mr Frank Hawthorne) the son of a haughty baronet (Mr H. Hobson), in whose presentation there is more than a trace of burlesque. Bagot’s son, Rupert (Mr G. Merriman), and Julian, “ down on their luok," strike a rich reef at the critical moment, and become enormously rich, so much so that Rupert on his visit to the Old Land is approved by Sir Philip, the old baronet, as suitor for the hand of his daughter Olive (Miss Hilda Meade) ; but the stern parent cannot allow that Dulcio Bagot (Miss May Benno) i 3 a fitting mate for his son. This prejudice is naturally strengthened when the villain Mark Maddox turns up casually and denounces Bagot senior as a convict, transported long before for the murder of a gamekeeper. Maddox has his secret also—he is an ex-bushranger, who, as money-lender and usurer, has fou.nd a safer and more profitable moans c>s plunder ; he is, moreover, a rejected suitor of Dulcie’s. Bagot, of course, has suffered for the crime of another ; and in the general clearing-up, when perfidy is punished and virtue vindicated, it transpires that Dulcie is the daughter of Sir Philip’s long-lost twin-brother, and therefore first cousin to her lover, so that the last obstacle to the general happiness is removed. Mr Darrell proved a great success as Bob Bagot. Miss Ada I Lawrence as Mrs Ryder, the be- ] reaved f wife of the miner, had a j very brief appearance in the first act, j but sustained her part with great power, I and the scene, “ Breaking the news ” was followed by the audience in a silence which was intense and impressive—in fact, the play held its “ grip ” throughout. MrFrank Hawthorne excelled as the eyeglassed] “ new chum,” by no means so fatuous as he looks ; Mr Eoothman was a finished villain, who richly earned his “ fifteen years ” ; Mr Oily Deering was convincing as the drunken loafer 11 Dove,” and in his last scene, where hatred and remorse aro mingled, was impressive ; while Mr L. Walsh, as Ong Lee, was a capital “ Chinky.” There is much quiet humor in the piece, and the love-making scenes were pretty and not overdone. ,