HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2006, 15 February 1907, Page 2

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“THE VIRGINIAN.” • A full house on a second night in spite of torrential rain is one of the highest compliments that can bo paid to a theatrical company, and ■such ■ was the compliment paid by the people of Gisborne to the second production of Mr J. O. Williamson’s Dramatic Company last night wluln “The Virginian” was staged in succession to “The Squaw Man.” To say that the piece vras staged is but to say the truth, for Judge Henry’s Ranch and Horse Thief Pass were two scenes worth looking at. Would that the same might bo said about the piece itself, and although it afforded some amusement at times the onlooker looked in vain for anything like a connected story of more, than commonplace significance or interest. It. had its ♦novel features, however, for a colonial audience, and if they did not go away fully satisfied that they had been compensated for braving the elements on such a night it was the fault of the author rather than the actors and actresses, for everyone of them performed their parts as well, as the limited scope of tho production would allow, or nearly so. The name part was entrusted to Mr C. Waldron, whoso interpretation of it was not quite as versatile as he might have made it without in the least endangering its strongest features, and vet it is perhaps not fair to blame the actor for the shortcomings of the author. As Mollie Wood Miss Humphrey did all that could be expected of an accomplished actress in a part that gave no scope for histrionic ability. Trainpas, the cattle, stealer and villain of the piece, fell to Mr Hardic Kirkland, who betrayed no symptom of the illness he was suffering (having to consult a doctor in the midst of. Ins work), and lie made the most of his opportunities without allowing the: audience to suspect the real difficulty of his task. The little part of Mrs. Henry was livened up and made interesting by Mrs Lewis, and Miss Bancroft' suitably, affected the part of Mrs Howie. Of the remaining characters those of Baldy (Mr L. Willey), Steve (Mr Cyril Mackay), and the Bishop (Mr Arthur Lissant) were well sustained; but "Tho Virginian” will never reach tile pinnacle of fame as a stock number, and acting cannot make it poular. “Under Two Flags” will bo the third and last production of the company in Gisborne. It would be difficult'to imagine anything more fascinating than Ouida’s picturesque romance and certainly the final production is by no means the least interesting of the seaso'n.