HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2092, 29 May 1907, Page 3

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

‘THE WAY TO KENAIARE.”

Tho season of Irish drama introduced to local theatre-goers by Mr. Andrew Mack and his company was continued at His Majesty’s Treat.,., last, evening, when Way to Kenmare” was put upon the boards. After tho excellent production of the previous evening it was only to be expected that a crowded house would assemble to enjoy this delightfully subtle comedy, and though the weather was highly unfavorable the attendance was quite up to expectation. Drama has always had a fascination for local theatre-goers, and a company such as Andrew Mack’s can, and always will, command bumper houses here. It is some time since a company producing Irish dramas was in our midst, and when such “a broth of a boy” like Andrew Mack brings a good company to Gisborne, local residents do not neglect the. opportunity. The piece selected last evening was a comedy drama in four acts, by Edward E. Rose, entitled “The Way to Kenmare.” This new play is in reality "a delightful subtle comedy. The plot centres around a contest between Dan Maguire, an Irisli-Ameri-can, who has made a nice little “pile” out of gold-mining in America, and Clement Fairley, an unscrupulous individual of a cynical turn of mind. The scene opens in the reception room at Bentley Harden’s, New York, where Roy Donald gives vent to liis contempt for his guardian (Bentley Harden) and of Clement Fairley, who is paying attentions to Donald’s sister, Rose. Donald is ' awaiting the arrival of his friend, Dan Maguire, who he wishes his sister to marry. Rose receives a bouquet sent by Dan Maguire, and the brother puts in a word for him. Rose says she had received not a line from him during many years and will not hear of him. Later Rose meets Dan in the twilight, the latter representing himself as Dan’s friend, but Rose will not listen. Clement Fairley a relation of the Earl of Kenmare, seeing in Dan a rival, puts in a claim as successor to the Kenamre estates and casts damaging aspersions upon the character of Dan Maguire and the honor of the latter’s mother. It appeared that the Earl of Kenmore’s son had married below his station, and that pi sou had been born of the marriage. The family went to America, where the father died, and the son took the name of Maguire on the mother’; side. Fairley stated that there had been no marriage, that there were no proofs, such records, if any, liav ing been burnt when the church war destroyed by fire, and .that'lie himself was the next-of-kin. As the result of Fairley’s action,-Dan Maguire tra vels from America to Ireland to claim bis rights, anfl is promptly J'ol lowed by all tho other principals, who arrive at tho Shamrock and Thistle Inn. Here Mrs. Konoria Maloney meets Mulkenhan Hogan, hei old sweetheart, but the 'lady hat another adorer in the person of Baron Kaiserbof Heizogengarten, and amusing scenes follow. Dan Maguire assumes the character of Larrv, a typical Irishman, and discovers Con O’Neil! (a half-witted sexton), who informs him that the records were not destroyed and he has a copy of the marriage . register safe in his ’keeping. This has also been discovered by Martin Keen, Fairley’s‘lawyer) and the latter and his' employer plot to kill Con and obtain the records. Dan meets liis half-sister, Moira Dolan and learns of her downfall through the actions of Clement Fairley. At the ruins of the old Kenmare Church, Rose Donald overhears tho plot to murder Con, and warns Larry, who frustrates it. He is.‘put to tlic- test by the old sexton, by tlic singing of a song, to prove his parentage, and doing so is given tho record. In the main hall at. Kenmare Castle, Dan Maguire claims his rights, produces liis proof, comes into bis. own, and wins* his sweetheart, while-the cynical Farley is sent' to tho right about. Mr. Andrew Mack gave a highlyfinished rendering of the part of Dan Maguire. In his sallies of repartee he has a delightful’knack of hesitating a moment, which imparts a national, touch to hip smart sayings. Especially good was his assumption of Larry, the Irish jarvev. The pathos rang true, and was never maudlin. The humor was brought out quickly, and was all the more effective for the entire absence of straining oftcr effect. His singing, as usual, was a featuro of the performance. “She Just Suits Me,” was given with good effect, as likewise was “Dan, My Darling Dan. In “The Roso of Kenmare,” Mr. Mack sang tho gem of the evening, which was much appreciated, he' having to respond to an encore." “The Legend of the Maguire” was also a pleasing item. As - Rose Donald, Miss Jane Kolton acted the part with tho fullest justice, while Miss Mae Stevenson did what little she‘had to do as Moira Dolan ■ with overy credit. ; Mrs. Honoria Maloney was well represented by Miss Annie Mack Berlein, Miss Gordon V .'Capably' filhngvthe’ light '-position of Jiiliaj" puiid.; Mr. . Martin 41sop .. half.iio easy character to sustain.as

Clement Fairley, but ho acted tho part splendidly. Roy Donald was most capably represented by Mr. William Townsend, and tho Earl of Ivonmaro by Mr. James Howard. Mr. Kendall Weston acted tho part, of Bontloy Harden, while the curious character of Baron Kaiserhof Herzogengarten was most satisfactorily filled by Mr. Charles Aveling. In the mean Martin Keen, Mr. E. J. McCormick oxcolled himself; while Mr. J. Cambourn© mado a splendid Con O’Neill, Mr. Fred. Mouley was tho landlord, Mulkennan Hogan. Mr. Thos. Jackson, as a driver (Patrick O’Shane), and Mr. John Durkin as .a poacher (McShane) also did thoir characterisations well.

“JACK SHANNON.”

Mr. Andrew Alack and his company bid farewell to-night to Gisborne theatregoers. The Auckland Herald says: “A play included in the great category which embraces all that is understood by the term melodrama, and at the same time : s artistic, clever, and popular, is something many authors attempt and few accomplish; but Ramsay Morris in “Jack Shannon,” written expressly for Andrew Alack, has succeeded in all these respects, and when tho piece was produced at His Majesty’s on Saturday evening tho theatre 'was filled to its utmost holding capacity and it mot with enthusiastic approval. Dainty, exhilarating, and refreshing it is one of tho sweetest things in the playing lino presented here for some time. Tho first act pourtrays one of the most artistic drawings of a stage love sceno that it has yet been the fortune of an Auckland audience to witness, while there is a most delightful finale, introducing the “Dove Song” whicli is illustrated by a whole dovecot of birds. The opportunity given to an actor like Air. Andrew Alack by this piece proved his sterling worth, revoaling more than versatility, for his interpretation was such, as only a performer who had the inborn feeling of manhood added to his talent as an actor could have presented.” Air. Alack will sing the following ballads written and composed by himself, “The Irish ' Street Song,” “Dove Song,” “Eyes of Blue,” and “Aly Heart’s Delight.”