“THE FATAL WEDDING.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2082, 17 May 1907, Page 2

“THE FATAL WEDDING.”

His Majesty’s Theatre was packed last night, when Messrs. Meynell anti Gunn opened their Gisborne season with the first staging of the musicaL drama “The Fatal Wedding”—apiece of great heart interest. The company was unfortunate in the late arrival of the Waikare and the consequent disappointment of those who booked for the performance on Wednesday night. The audience was very enthusiastic and generous in their applause. The story of the drama is one of true love, marriage, and divorce, the result of a deception practised by a rival. Cora promises Robert Curtis twenty thousand dollars for the _ apparent betrayal of Mrs. "Wilson, the sum to be paid the day that she (Cora) married Wilson. With considerable skill Curtis performs the task and the result was divorce proceedings and the temporary success of Cora. Act two opens eight years later in a New York tenement, showing Mabel with her two children (which she abducted), in the direst poverty, and the janitor announces the fact tlie unless he was paid she would have to be turned out. In the nick of time, the landlord comes up and discovers the fact that the poor tenant is his cast-off wife. Torn by conflicting emotions and touched to the heart by the kindness, unselfishness, and forethought of his little daughter, he leaves a receipt for six months’ rent, and later takes the children to his own home. The other iihild, a Soil, is dangerously ill and fiis mother calls to see him, and after a scene is allowed to remain. Just as Wilson was leading Cora to the altar, an incriminating document, signed by Cora promising Curtis the money, is produced, and after the denouement Mabel is remarried to her husband. Curtis, who had been drinking heavily, appears, and first shoots Cora and then himself.

The realistic and vivid performance of Miss May Congdon, who took the principal part, Mabel Wilson, came in for special commendation. She had a difficult part to play and her rendering of the real pathos of her part was very touching. During the third act, the Tin Can Band was introduced with telling effect. They scored a great hit, and their youthful pranks and clever performance well merited the round of applause they received. Their characteristic dancing. cake walking, marching, etc., was interspersed with songs, which were excellently rendered by the sweet juvenile voices. Maggie Dickenson sang “The Kids from the Alley” and “Pansy,” and gave “Josephine, Thy Jo” in fine style. Mr. Conway Wingfield’s Impersonation of Howard Wilson, the wealthy clubman, and Mr. Jas. Lindsay's representation of Robert Curtis, the man about town, were very clever and lifelike. The efforts of Mr. Tom Cannam, as Toto. the French butler, and Mr. C. It. Stanford, as Peter Schwartz, the janitor, were all duly recognised by hearty applause of tlie audience. Miss Dina Cooper, in the part of Cora Williams allotted to her. looked the. wicked woman all over. The vagaries of Miss Amy Singleton, ns Bridget, the lady cook, must be seen to be appreciated and enjoyed. Last, but; not least, little Maisie Posner deserves all credit for her splendid rendering of Jessie, the Little Mother.

Tlie piece will be again staged tomorrow night, and on Monday and Tuesday “The Midnight. Wedding” will be played.