“THE MIDNIGHT WEDDING.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2085, 21 May 1907, Page 2

“THE MIDNIGHT WEDDING.”

This first performance of the romantic military drama, “The Midnight Wedding,” was given at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, by Messrs. Meyuoll and Gunn’s Company to a full and intensely appreciative and . demonstrative audience. The many lively interludes and spirited sido-issues evoked the warmest and most enthusiastic applause. The side-issues themselves wore as interesting and as well performed as the plot itself. Tho acting was of a superior order and the parts allotted to the various performers suited their several abilitiesand speaking generally, they acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner and well deserved the hearty reception they received at the hands of Gisborne theatre-goers.

This story is, like “The Fatal Wed ding,” one concerning the heart and is an interesting inquiry into the mysteries of the heart, exposing some of its deepest recesses, revealing its inmost secrets, and naturally depicting the motives and consequent actions of men and women placed in unusual situations, faced with peculiar difficulties and beclouded by the workings of various passions. To the studious and critical observer, the play is raised from the realm of sensation to the piano of Mind. Lieutenant Rudolph Von Strelsburg is an officer in the Prussian army, who has not only “wasted his substance” by gambling, but has dissipated his sister’s (Princess Astrea’s) heritage also. A rich fellow officer, Captain Rudolph Von Scarsbruck, is in love with the princess, who strongly dir likes him and is in a convent until she decides to either marry him or take the veil. Her father, on his death-bed expressed a wish that she should marry the Captain and she is in extremity as to what course of action to pursue, and craves an audience with Father Cerrard. The latter, a sincere friend, tries to console her and bids her leave him to think and pray. The hour wanted but a few minutes to midnight and the following day her choice had to be made. At the critical moment, an excited and dishevelled soldier, Paul Valmar, knocks at the door for sanctuary and the father admits him, and the inspiration comes to marry her to this man, who could leave. Accordingly he puts the suggestion to Valmar, who laughs it to scorn. At this stage, the priest observes bloodstains on the soldier’s sword and is informed that he has had a dual with an officer and was escaping. The priest thus lias the upper hand and the Midnight Wedding is solemnised as the pursuers are at the door frantically demanding admittance. What may be anticipated, however, happens. The marriage of convenience resolves itself quickly into a case of true love, which after crossing many stormy seas, ran smoothly. The Captain enters the room in search of Valmar, but is turned away by subterfuges and returns to Strelsburg, to consult with Lieutenant Rudolph. The Captain seeks an interview with Astrea, attempting to pursuade her to become liis wife, but is indignantly spurned and resolves upon the perpetration of a cruel and subtle deed. In collusion with the Lieutenant who is driven to despair to meet his debts of honor, he enters the chamber of the Princess with the object of offering her the choice of marriage with him or destruction of her reputation, by his arousing the inmates and leaving the inference that he .came by arrangement. This plan was inter--fered with by the appearance on the scene of the loving husband, Valmar, who had observed the Captain’s entry and followed him. A scene: is then enacted with telling effect. A scuffle ensues, and Father Gerrard and Lieutenant Rudolph appear and demand an explanation of the disturbance. Valmar and the Captain are behind a screen, the latter cowering under the revolver of Valmar. They are not seen and Astrea satisfies the visitors. As a consequence the two gentlemen make arrangements for a dual, but just before they commence, Satanella enters • Valmar’s apartment and shoots him in the right wrist. The Captain becomes impatient of the delay and disbelieving the story, attacks Valmar with his sword. The latter makes an able defence with liis left hand, but Lieut. Rudolph ends the conflict by interfering and running Valmar through. Disguised in the attire of an officer, his wife, the princess, nurses him back to life through delirium. When restored to health, the Emperor acknowledges him as his legal son, and after a duel with the captain, fatal to the latter, the author lands his creations in a comparative paradise, and the story closes. Throughout the piece, an auxiliary plot is admirably sustained by Sergeant Max, Corporal Otto, and Private Bobs, with Kathie (of the “Golden Dragon”). As regards the actors, Mr. Harcourt Beatty made a great hit as Paul Valmar. Mr. James Lindsay, as Captain Rudolph Von Scarsbruck, and Mr. Conway Wingfield as Lieut. Rudolph Von Strelsburg, had difficult parts to perform, and well earned the applause they received. Miss May Congdon acted tile part of the Princess to perfection, and the plaudits of the audience which greeted her was well deserved.- Miss Dina Cooper (Satanella), Mr. Herbert Leigh (the Crown Prince Leopold), and Mr. C- R- Stanford (Father Gerrard) gave very good renderings of their parts. The piece will be repeated to-night.