The Theatre.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 140, 21 May 1883, Page 2

The Theatre.

STRUCK OIL.

On Saturday night Mr Frank Wilmott's Combination performed " Struck Oil " to a densely crowded house — though on the whole, we could not say the audience was of the rao<t appreciative character, the full depth of the play not being fully realized by many of the audience. Mr Wilkinson, as the leading character — John Stofel — was simply p°rfcction m his parts, and his untiring- efforts, and apparent abilities to please, undoubtedly gained th*» admiration of the entire house. Miss Amy Johns, as Lizzie IStofel, showed herself mistress of the dramatio act, her songs and general performances being duly appreciated by the sudienco, and upon more than one occasion she was compelled by vociferous encores to repeat her performances. Mr R. W. Rede, as Deacm v kinner, the villainous clergyman, was good m the extreme, his general get-up, and plottings beingdepicted m most natural style. His, of cou/se, was one of the leading , characters, and beyond doubt Mr Rede sustained the reputation of the parson jto the letter m this particular case. Mr Arthur Herman, as Sergeant Flynn, and Mr Charles Marter, as Corporal Shame, performed their parts most efficiently. Miss Amy Nelson, as Mrs Stofel, too, was a character admirably plajed m this fine piece, ia racfc we believe we might conscientiously say that never before was so grand a performance placed before a Manawatu audience, as that produced on Saturday night. We believe it is the intention, of Mr Wilmott to return to Palraerston after a season m Wansjamu, when 11 Struck Oil" will probably be run for a night or two, and other favorite pieces will also probably b« introduced.