“VIRGINIUS.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5638, 25 April 1879, Page 5

“VIRGINIUS.”

Sheridan Knowles' grand tragic drama with the above title was given at the Imperial Opera House last night to a large audience, the dress circle only being somewhat scantily patronised. The pieces played by this company are put upon the Stage in moat excellent style, and the dresses are grand and. exceedingly tasteful. The scenery also Is so fine and all the surroundings of the. actors so thoroughly in keeping that it would he a real aesthetic pleasure to witness the play under circumstances which precluded the spectator from hearing a word of the dialogue. In addition to this the stage grouping is managed so well that it was commonly remarked,—what a beautiful picture that would make —by some of the audience during the somewhat sensational scenes whichocour frequently,throughout this play. The story of, "Virginins sacrificing his daughter’s life, because of her having been dishonored by a Roman noble, in the hands of the author of the play, takes a somewhat different turning. Virginia, the ' betrothed of Icilius, is claimed by a noble on the pretence that she is the daughter of a woman-slave of his, who handed over her offspring to Virginias’ wife to rear as the latter’s own child. The charge is not proved in any way. Appius. Claudius, the decemvir, who has evil designs against Virginia, sits in the seat of judgment upon the occasion of the trial. He accepts the simple statement of . one who feigns to have been the slave-mother of Virginia, and desires Virginias to give up his daughter to Caius Claudius, who claims her. Virginius boldly accuses C. Claudius of being a pander to Appius’ vice, and rather than give her up slays her in the forum before the seat of justice. The fifth act reveals Virginius as bereft of reason through horror and remorse at his own action ; in his ravings he seeks out the prison where his daughter is supposed to be immured. Here he finds Appius Claudius, who has been removed from the seat of honor as a decemvir, and thrust into prison as a criminal by a justly incensed people. The presence of Appius in the prison presents to the clouded intellects of Virginius a puzzle which he cannot unravel. His fevered brain creates a vision of his lost daughter, with locks dishevelled and vesture torn, standing behind Appius, and in his frenzy Virginius rushes upon the ex-decemvir and drags him off the stage, to re-appear with him in the next scene lying dead on the stage. The play closes with the restoration of reason to Virginius, brought about by the healing influence of tears, which were made to flow by the sight of the urn containing the ashes of poor Virginia, which is laid before him by the bereaved lover Icilius. All the accessories of the story are necessarily excised from this brief outline; the Koman eamp, the scenes in the forum, the oratorical addresses to the citizens, are vivid reproductions of Koman life and manners as depicted in history. The view of the Forum, the prison, and the representation of the groups of men mourning over the body of the murdered Dentatus, are each and all effective and beautiful examples of scenic effect. The wording of the play we are inclined to cavil at, as there is so much grandiloquent talk that it lends an air of unreality to much of the piece. Mr. Creswiok’s acting is very fine, and towards the close of the play it would be difficult to suggest any improvement. His grand presence, fine voice, and splendid physique enable him to give the part of Virginius with much effect, but his conception of the part is rather that of a fiery Italian than of a stern and stately Koman. For aught we know to the contrary, Mr. Creawiek’s conception may be far truer than the popular notion, and in the case of Virginius there is much to be said in favor; of it. Miss Ashton’s Virginia was a most finished representation of the fair maid of classic history. Hr. Sterling White’s characteristic and powerful rendering of Dentatus was perfect in its way. He several times in the course of fiig address to the populace, and during his brave and open criticism before Appius of the bad generalship of .the decemvirs drew forth

tho hearty applause of the audience. Mr. Ellliott as C. Claudius, Mr. Clinton as Nnmitorius, and Mr. Vincent as Icilius,. deserve more than a word of praise. Miss Vivian s Servia was good, and she was deservedly applaud ed a f ter her touching appeal to the crowd when sho asks them to send their protection to Virginia. There was no delay whatever during the play, the scenes being changed with the utmost promptitude, and the intervals between the acts being very short. Tho play was concluded within a few minutes of halfpast ten, and the stage manager must be congratulated upon the taste he displayed and the discipline enforced. We only noticed one defect of any consequence—in the scene in tho Forum where Caius Claudius is threatened with violence by the mob he, falls at the foot of the seat of judgment, the Motors, who are standing by, neither moved hand nor foot to protect him. Mr. Sheridan Knowles has handled a fine dramatic subject in a very tragic-sensational style, there being no less than three deaths oi prominent characters in the course of the play, but it gives scope for the display of much talent, and the chief actors are very well supported. It is long since so good a company has been before a Wellington audience, and we hope to soe crowded houses during their stay.