The Opera House

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8100, 29 May 1906, Page 5

The Opera House

4< A iiosue's Daughter." The Maemahon Dramatic Company commenced a short season of two nights at the Opera House last night, when they produced their latest melodramatic success, " A Bogue's Daughter," to a well-filled house. The piece is one of the strongest in the Maemahon repertoire, brimful of exciting scenes, yet tempered by a .world of pathos in the portrayal of the two principal female roles. With much good ground to work upon it was not surprising that the versatile members of the company excelled themselves, so much so that applause, lavish and free, punctuated the performance from rise to fall of the curtain. As "Frank Tyler," the whole-souled hero of the piece, Mr Clias. Blake was as successful as he usually is. Associated with the double-dyed villain of the play, Mr W. Power as "Col. Foster," or with Miss Maie Nelson as " Lady Mavnard," or with Miss May Granville as " Lettie Gray," Mr Blake was quite equal to the occasion, whether revealing or counteracting villainy, or in the more appealing emotional scenes with the two ladies. The latter had earned the full sympathy of the audience long before the end of the first act, while Mr Power was equally successful in meriting their execrations, which Mr H. Douglas as his principal aider and abettor shared with him. In the minor characters Miss May Renno as a maid, Miss B. Foley as a waif, Mrs B. Lane as " Mrs Jenkins," Mr P. Savieri, and Mr Fred Cope were all equally successful, each playing up to their principals in splendid style. The piece, generally, was one of the most enjoyable yet presented by the Company. It was staged with alt attention to detail, all the scenes being most capably depicted. To-night Messrs Maemahon present a powerful dramatisation of Hugh Conway's world-famous creation " Called Back," which has delighted thousands of all classes, in all climes. The cast is an exceptionally strong one and the scenery depicting the administration of the convict system and the rigor of Russian laws in snowbound Siberia could scarcely be nearer to realism. The ehief character Paolt Macari, the sinister spy in the employ of the liussian secret force, has always been recognised as one of the most powerful conceptions which ever emanated from the brain of the world's greatest dramatists, while the remaining characters are strongly drawn and make up an ensemble unique both from a spectacular and histrionic point of view. Of last Friday evening's performance the JN.Z. Times says : — " " Called Back " is one of the unfailing cards of the theatrical managers and a crowded house once more welcomed its revival by the Messrs Maemahon. This management has been favoured with great audiences but the attendance last evening eclipsed any pi-evious attendance of the general public. Interest in " Called Back " never appears to wave, the production of the play was gratifying in the highest degree, all the characters being admirably sustained." Day sales tickets may be had at Sadd's, whilst the box plan is on view at Park's.