Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company.

Manawatu Herald, 13 February 1904, Page 3

Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company.

«. \ “ HANDS ACROSS THE SEA ” There was a most appreciative ap dience at the Public Hall on Thursday evening, when this talented company staged “ Hands Across the Sea.” The scene opens in England, where Jack Dudley (Mr Alfred Woods) a young farmer, becomes engaged to Lilian Melford (Miss Maud Williamson), and Richard Stillwood (Mr A. W. Boothman) on knowing this at once resolves to do all he can to get Jack Dudley out of the way. In the second act the scene is laid in Paris, where the Dudley's are staying, and he entices Jack and his friend Tom Bassett (Mr Ernest Knight) into a gambling house kept by Madame Valerie (Miss Carle Doyle) where an attempt is made to rob them. In the next scene a Count Paul de Renal (Mr H. Grist) is murdered by

Dick StillwOod, ancß'pn japk Dudley coming to his aid the latter is arrested for the crittie. He, is Sentenced to death, but is eventually transported to New Caledonia for life. The fourth act is the deck of the s.s. Australian, by which Mrs Dudley, together with lorn Bassett and Mabel Stillwood (Miss May Carleon). also her brother Richard are proceeding to Australia. A man is picked tip aha turns out to be Jack Dudley, who had managed to escape from his gaolers. He is denounced as an escaped convict by Dick Stillwood, but he, claims the protection,of tlje British flag. In the last act jack and his wife are united again, and Mabel and Tom Bassett become engaged. Here jean de Lusac (Mr J. Lambert) who has been made a tool of by Richard Stillwood, denounces the latter as the murderer of the Count, and he makes a savage attack on Stillwood, who, however, escapes pursued by the police. The piece is well mounted, and the acting throughout was of a first-class order. The audience followed every detail ot the plot with interest, and did not fail to signify its approval of the various situtions. The other parts were all well acted. "A WOMAN’S SIN.” Last evening the company staged the above piece, which is a dramatisation by Miss Maud Williamson of Hall-Caine’s work “The Manxman.” The piece was elaborately staged and acted, the principal characters being taken by Kate Creegan (Miss Maud Williamson), Philip Christian (Mr A. W. Boothman), Pete Quilliam (Mr Alfred Woods.) The other characters were also well sustained, and the performance by the company was a great triumph. The scenery and mounting of both pieces produced was a revelation to many, the different scenes being most realistic. The company can always look forward to a hearty reception when they make a return visit to Foxton.