BACK FROM THE GRAVE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5660, 21 May 1879, Page 2

BACK FROM THE GRAVE.

“ Back' from the Grave” was repeated for the second time last night to a very large audience. In the pit and stalls there was scarcely standing room, and no company could have desired a more attentive, or, a more thoroughly enthusiastic reception than that accorded to them. Neither the description of the plot ‘which appeared in this paper a day or two ago, or the short and hurried report of the play with which we were furnished on the first night hardly did justice to the Yery effective and sparkling dialogue, which tends to raise the piece far above the usual level of .what we must perforce characterise as sensation drama. Mr. and Mrs. Darrell’s acting is acknowledged to be well nigh perfect in their respective lines, .and certainly the parts of an actor and dramatic author assumed by Mr. Darrell rer quired so little assuming, and fell so naturally upon him, that it was quite possible to forget for the nonce that he only appeared bn the boards as the embodiment of a conception of his own brain. The idea was a happy one, and the handling of the part by Mr. Darrell left little to be desired. Mrs. Darrell’s great power as an actress is so thoroughly appreciated by Wellington playgoers that it is almost unnecessary for us to do more than refer to it. She struck ns as specially effective in the very trying scene which she has to go' through when she makes known first to 1 her niece, and afterwards to her second husband, Mr. Rivers (Mr. Stirling White), the supposed -re-appearance of her first husband, Ralph Jeffries (Mr. H. Vincent).' 1 He has come “back from the grave” with a mature changed from that of a mere , gambling scamp into that of 'a thoroughly felonious scoundrel, and it is but little wonder if she shrinks with loathing from the future which this pretended return brings before her. AH the actors perform their parts, creditably ; Miss Novaro’s acting as the heroine called forth frequent applause, ..Owing to pome insecurity r in the''flooring-laid’down in the upstairs room-of the'Cottage where Miss Npvaro was confined- by her' abductor, the actress fell suddenly: down to the floor below. The fall was a dangerous one, and the house

was in a state of breathless suspense until reassured by Miss Novaro’s reappearance on the stage. On enquiry we learned that beyond a severe shaking and a few bruises she was none the worse. A word of praise is due to the young lady for her plucky disregard of the fright and injury she had sustained.

Much of the life aud liveliness of the play depends upon the smart dialogue between Toney Dibhs (Mr. H. Power) aud Dolly (Miss Bessie Vivian). It was*quite a treat to listen to the amusing witticisms which pass between them, Mr. Power’s coining vein has long been recognised, but the part he undertook lastnight fitted him, so to say, like a glove. There is a moral and a cunningly veiled sarcasm latent beneath his wit, and he often makes merry at the expense of his gay and pretty companion. His remarks about the law ignoring the existence of poor folk are neatly expressed in four words—no money, no law, and his keen well-turned criticisms of women’s foibles are well worth listening to. Mr. Elliott's (Captain Rivers) love-making to Irene (Miss Mayor) was decidedly amusing, aud the “ model husband” scene between the two lovers quite brought down the house. As usual the realistic fire scene was highly appreciated, being most noisily applauded. The mise en scene was almost perfect ; the scenery is good, and the surroundings thoroughly in keeping.