WILMOTT’S COMBINATION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 154, 11 June 1884, Page 2

WILMOTT’S COMBINATION.

The above company gave their second performance here last night. The programme consisted of a new and entirely original melo-dramatic Romance in four acts, entitled “ The Golden Plough.” The attendance was not so large as expected, but those who were present fully appreciated the performance; This piece is, we believe, about the best of its kind that has ever been produced before the > public of this town. In the first act all the characters are produced, except Peter Smith, the ostler, who takes an important part in the fouth act. The first act was rather slow and uninteresting to the audience, as of course, they could not get at the thread of the plot. The second and third acts seemed to make it slightly more clear, and greater interest was evinced by the spectators, and when the fourth and last act was being performed, stillness reigned supreme, everyone watching with almost breathless excitement the result of the whole cleverly deep-laid plot, which was brought to a happy conclusion to all parties. The acting of Miss Louisa Crawford, as Grace Royal, was simply perfection itself, and she proved herself thoroughly 4competent to take the part allotted her. The care-worn expression of her countenance was splendid, as also were the soft and touching appeals she made to her son, and the indignant manner in which she defied and repelled Sir Francis Claude, brought her rounds of well merited applause. Mr. H. Teece acted the high born gentleman in the person of Sir Francis Claude, in grand style, as also did Mr. R. W. Rede, in the capacity of the Rev. Martin Preston, who showed a perception of character, calm and forcible* Mr. Frank Simmons (horse-trainer), took his part well, and the character of his affianced, Mary Royal, was well maintained by Miss Amy Johns. In fact every one of the performers sustained their different characters excellently, and showed, as has already been stated, that in the Wilmott Company there is an abundance of talent seldom witnessed in small companies. To-night the comedy of comedies, “ The Guv’nor,” will be performed, when we trust to see the public bestow their patronage a little more freely on this clever company, which is in every sense of the word, deserving of it.