WILLMOTT’S COMBINATION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 172, 2 July 1884, Page 3

WILLMOTT’S COMBINATION.

BIP VAN WINKLE. The above drama was produced last night to a small, though intelligent and appreciative audience. The performance of this drama excels by far all the others the company has as yet presented to the public of this place, and reflects credit on them, and gives clear proof that in this company there is a large amount of superior talent and ability, far above that which is found in the general run of such dramatic combinations. In the above drama all the characters are of so thorough and so perfectly natural an appearance, that it is almost impossible to tell whether they are their real selves, or only the representatives of others. It is with the greatest regret that we see their masterly performances presented to so small an audience as the one last night, and can only account for it by the “hard times; ” but we suggest strongly to those who are desirous of spending an enjoyable evening to go and see for themselves, and we guarantee they will not go away with a troubled appearance, as if they had been “ had.” The character last night allotted to Mr. James Wilkinson, was Bip Van Winkle, and was taken in a style which would have done credit to any leading professional performer of the present day. The Budget speaking of him in this character says:—“ He is an actor of great versatility, but the character in which he excels is that of the good-natured Dutchman of the Catskill Mountains. All through he plays with great care. At the signing of the contract giving his daughter in marriage to Herman Van Claus, the profligate, the meeting of the spirits of the mountain, and in the last act, where he comes back to life after twenty years’ sleep—in all his acting is perfection.” We fully endorse the contemporary’s remarks. The other characters were well brought out, and all contributed to its successful rendering. Mr. Alexander appeared in some places rather shaky, as if he had not thoroughly mastered his part; otherwise he was all that could be desired.