Marian Willis Dramatic Company.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1893, Page 3

Marian Willis Dramatic Company.

To-nighfc the above powerful company appear in the Public Hall in a sensational drama entitled Erma the ■ Elfe. Erma is essentially an American production, it is of the usual melodramatic type and is "' dealt with in a bright 1 and lively manner, the amusing element predominating. The interest of the glory binges upon the lorfcuues of Erma, who when a child was 3tolen from her dying father by Oscar Horton, an adventurer, and then handed over to a ruffian named Robert Raikes to be mado away with. This Raikes does not do so but adopts her. His brutal treatment causes her to fly from him and she joines Basanko's travelling theatre ; she is alarmed by Raikes • and takes refuge with a kindhearced : old gentleman named Bluffkins who gives her a home. Bluffkins has two nephews, Harry Romney and Oscar Horfcon, the adventurer Roraney is engaged to Horton 's sister but her ' proud and petulant i nature causes him to be3tow his love I on Erma. This the uncle objects to and- Evrtja leaves his house. She then discovers a plot on the part of Hortori and Raikes to rob her uncle j tind her. Maggie, Raikes' j wifel i^biamed for having betrayed] the conspiracy and the villian set his ! garret; afire; '-• Just as he is about to throw bis wife into the flames Enna lappears as Mephisfcopholes clad in a I ; she. had brought from •' ? r tfasahko's. The dismay is complete. Horfcon are next seen bnrgl - \ • : -Ang the 'safe and Erma conveniently I appears to frustrate them. The j alarm is given, the robbers aie given , in custody, and Erma is proved to be i the daughter of Bluffkins brother the heiress to great wealth, and the love affair with Harry is agreed to. The finale is a song by the company . and all ends happily. On Friday Tom Taylor's famous London drama entitled The Ticket of Leave Man will be staged.