“SHIN FANE.”

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2099, 15 November 1880, Page 3

“SHIN FANE.”

To-night Mr Biggs will make his dehut in Christchurch in the Irish drama of “Shin Fane,” which is described as being one of a highly sensational type of pieces. Mr Riggs has achieved a very high reputation in America and Australia for his power in interpreting Irish character, and no doubt he will be equally successful amongst us. The main point of the plot is tho enmity borne by Martin Doyle, one of the characters, to Pierce Curran, which latter has married the girl the former had fixed his affections on. Pierce Curran and his wife are, however, taken under “the especial protection of Sail Gair, represented by Mr Biggs, who is their good genius, after the manner of the principal characters of Hibernian melodrama. The piece opens at the home of Michael Curran, and here the old man mourns his absent son, a convict, through the scheming of Doyle. Suil Gair, who is foster-brother of the absent Pierce Curran, brings a letter to tho old man. The missive announces that a conditional pardon is granted to Pierce, who begs hia wife to join him in America. Unhappily, Doyle, who has been reported dead, returns from Australia at the same time, renews his suit to Ellen, and by the aid of Shuan and his sister, beguiles her and leads her to a desolate spot, tho Bound Tower ruins. It is a pity that a place which is so pleasant to the eye should be chosen for the crime meditated by Doyle, who hoped to carry Ellen off; on her refusal to grant his request he forces her into a cell, and her ruin seems to bo inevitable, when Suil Gair, in the disguise of Conn, the simpleton, comes od the scene, and by a clever trick, frees the persecuted woman, and puts the villain in her place. This brings the first act to a close. The second act opens in the cottage of Widow Sweeney, where a farewell gathering is being held, old Mr Curran, Ellen, Suil Gair, and Molly, are among the guests. After a dance by the company, and a song, the guests retire to the banquet; a stranger seeks hospitality, and proves to be Pierce returned in disguise; he has been seen by Doyle, who betrays him, but Suil Gair contrives to be arrested in the disguise, and to effect his escape. Ellen and her husband are pursued by Shuan and the police. The former is killed by ligbtning, and the sorely tried husband and wife are again free. Next we find them, with many others, passengers on beard the emigrant ship Emerald. Suil Gair makes tea for the sick Molly, argues with the captain, makes plenty of fun by his trouble in getting into a hammock, wakes out of his sleep in time to come to Ellen’s rescue when she is surprised by Doyle, who is also a passenger. Pierce and the captain are quickly there. Doyle is accused of insulting a lady ; is handcuffed and put into tho hold, where he contrives to free one hand, to light a match and fire the ship ; and the third act closes with an agonized scramble from the burning ship. In the fourth act the scene is laid in America; the “Emerald ” emigrants have been rescued by a passenger ship, and arrive at New Tork. On landing they are interviewed by Tom Banbury, a New York boarding-house keeper. Ellen and Pierce go to the house, leaving word that their friends, Mr Maguire and a lady, are to follow. Suil and Molly have been supplied with clothing by their deliverers, and the peasant is “ got up" in the most approved style, and is Mr Maguire. The conversation between Suil and the Yankeeiied Kerry man, Tom Hanbury, is full of life, and when Suil learns that Doyle has also escaped, and is an inmate of the board-ing-house, his horror is so real, and hia earnestness has so convinced Hanbury of his truth that he at once aids him to track the villain. In the end Doyle, who had nearly murdered the old Ourran, who, unable to live alone, had followed bis children to America, and who has also given information which leads to the arrest of Pierce, is seized by the police for bis crime of burning the ship, the captain arriving with a warrant at the most critical moment, and the rest may bo supposed to live henceforth in peace. Mr Willis has been busily engaged on the scenery for the piece, and no doubt his efforts will be appreciated this evening.