ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 13 March 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“THE MUMMY AND THE lIUM-

MING BIRD.”

It is a long time since Gisborne lias been treated to such a high-class dramatic entertainment as was provided by the Herbert Flemming Comedy Company at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when Mr. Lsaac Henderson’s four-act plnv, “The Mummy and the Humming Bird,” was staged before a crowded house. Tho piece is a drama of a superior type, its atmosphero is wholesome, and its dialogue clever. While its theme is not altogether original, its setting is novel, and its situations well studied and ingeniously thought out. The story tells how Lord TownIcy (Mr. Herbert Flemming), selfish in pursuit of a scientific hobby, lives the life of a mummy, buried in his laboratory, neglects his young wife, his domestic duties, his friends, in fact everything else for bis books, bottles, and chemical experiments. Lady Lumley (Miss Beatrice Day) thus cut off from the companionship of her husband, at first begins to pine, but afterwards forms an attachment, almost against her will, for an Italian poet (“The Humming Bird”) Signor D’Orelli (Mr./A. S. Homewood). During the absence of tho household one evening, Lord Lumley, acting oil an impulse, invites into liis house an Italian organ-grinder who lias been playing outside in the cold. From him ho learns that his mission to England is not music, hut a vendetta, and the object of tho vendetta is D’Orelli. Lord Lumley warns his wife against D’Orelli, but the wily temptor entices her, by a clever scheme, to his rooms, where she is discovered by her husband. D’Orelli is then informed of tho presence in England of his countryman with tho vendetta, and lie offers a truce with tho husband for the lady’s honor as the price for the protection of his life. Lady Lumley, in her despair, flies to Paris, hut the husband, now awakened to his own selfishness and the faults ho had shown in neglect, follows her, a reconciliation takes place, and D’Orelli is given a reasonable time to avoid tho organ-grinder and to save®himself from tho knife. The play is brimful of interest from start -to finish, its characters are natural and true, it carries nothing of an absurd or impossible nature,but tells a plain, possible story of human interest from start to finish. Tho Lord Lumley of Mr. Flemming was a most'careful study, liis absentmindedness, and selfish intolerance in his own pursuit, being well and convincingly pourtrayed. In his scenes with D’Orelli ho showed a wonderful range of dramatic power,' and was repeatedly called before the curtain. Mr. A. S. Homewood as Signor D’Orolli gave a fine study of the oilytongued foreigner. His. work throughout was consistent, his pourtrayal of subtleness and, when all resources were gone, cowardice* were exceptionally well done, and the audience fully appreciated his work. Miss Beatrice Day, as Lady Lumley, had a most difficult and exacting part, a part that called for an intense display of emotion, despair, and the struggles to resist temptation. Her work throughout was natural and artistic, and; in the heavier scenes, showed great- dramatic power. Mr. H. W. Varna presented a' good study of the Italian organ-grinder Guiseppe, Mr. Aubrey Mailalieu was quite at home in tho small part of Lord Ronald, while Miss Elsie Clarens made a pleasing Mrs. Ruth Thornton. Judson (Mv. Winter Hall), Markham (Mr J. F. Forde), Thomas (Mr. H. Bennett) and Cummings (Miss Joan Blair) all servants in Lord Lumley’s household, were small but indispensable parts. Tho piece was richly mounted and magnificently costumed.

“PETER’S MOTHER,” To-night Mrs. Henry de la Pas teure’s play, “Peter’s Mother,” will bo staged. .The story is intensely interesting, is full of pathos and human kindness, and is relieved here -and there with flashes of sparkling humor. Miiss Beatrice Day will appear as Peter’s Mother, and her work in this part is said to be her best performance. ’ The play has been produced twice before the King, and is one of the most popular dramas ever staged in England. A crowded house should greet the first production of the play in Gisborne.