RICE COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1522, 2 August 1905, Page 3

RICE COMPANY.

At His Major's Theatre last evening the Bice Dramatic Company staged the interesting and SBnsation.4i drama, 11 Under the British Flag,” in aid of she Gisborne Kifles Bond. There was a good attendance of the public, who followed the play ■with cloße attention. The story opens in where Laban Brood, a villain •of the deepest dye, proposes for the hand ■of Mary Hope, and is reputed with shorn. Brood is discovered in an act of villainy by George Seymour, Mary’s lover, and the two become enemies. Tbo scene then shifts to the mines of Bolivia, where Mr Hope makes Seymoor manager of the mines. Brood enters disguised as a miner, causes the miners to revolt, and cleverly has Seymour suspected of bringipg about tbo revolt, for which he is condemned to death. The parting of Mary and Seymour in the prison was an affecting scene, while the spreading of tho Union Jock over the condemned man when the word to fare was given roused the audienco to enthusiasm. Brood’s treachery is revealed, and Seymour is released. The minors attack She town, and Brood and Seymour are •captured and tied te the stake to be shot. tßrood *3 released upon joining the revolt, and gives the word to snoot Seymour, nut iihe miners (turn their guns on Brood, who is shot dead. At that moment the soldiers ■enter, and tho miners lay down their arms. The curtain fails on a happy and united ®arty under the British ff&g. The drama gives ample acope i°P sotpe See acting, and tbo infierprettvtiQU .which several of the company gave their .parts; ■showed that careful study had been made ■of the character?. As Labau Brood Mr Alfred Rico made .a thorough villain, giving a fino roading of h difficult character. Mr T. Holdsworth ha,d » congenial part as George Seymour, amj* njrcde the most of his opportunities. Mr B. **■/ Clark, as Fred Fagglee, showed himself .to ; be a .comedian of no moan order, and gave; a decidedly clover interpretation of his. 3?art. His appearance was greeted wv-h applause, which his acting merited. Miß3 Rachael Bice tad Miss Esther Dalroy, as > Maty Hope and Nancy Troate, gave,a / ;good interpretation .of their pacts, their -acting as usual being ftfl 1 of grace and charm. The former had a-heavy rc.e, and was inclined to force tbs part at times, but gave a very* good reading of P ■difficult character. Mr T. Sandlant made a capital Don Andre, and Mr James Bobb took the part of Mr Hope. The minor parts were ably sustained., although Jumbo •was unable to convince anyone Ahajt he was (anything else but aa Englishman with bis dace blackened. Tho scenery was a <ea(ture of the play, several of tho scenes being of a very high order, The orchestra also deserve a word of praise. At iho close of the drama Mr Rice intimated that the company would produce “Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1 ' by requesi, at au eurly date.