THEATRE ROYAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 233, 29 October 1903, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE GATES OK B JNDAGE."

T&B Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company opened their season here on Wednesday night with a dramatised version of Hall Oaine's " Deeaaster," under the appropriate title of " The Gates of Bondage." Ore it as was the reputation of this exsellent Company, the publio hardly expected such a magnificent treat as was afforded tbem last night, the general verdict being that it was one of the dramas evt r staged here, that the acting throughout was | wi.hout a flaw, and that the scenery was a revelation. "DanMyhea" in the hands of Mr Woods found an exponent of tho highest ability and power. In the first scene he was rq'ially strong in the humorous and dramatic parts, but in the latter he merely gave a foretaste of the quality to follow. The wherein is enacted Dan's quarrel with tha Deemster's son, ISwau, wheu tho latter is killed, was a superb tpscimen of histrooic power and talent, and aroused the house to tremendous enthusiasm. But the triumph of the actor's art was reserved for the scene on the Island, where, outcast and alone t his sufferings in mind and body are pouted foith in a heart-rending solil quy, which thrilled the audience in every nerve and produced a tension that was nlmost paicful in i's intensity. It was >\ grand masttrpiece of acting, nevor for an instant strained or overdone, but replete with a power and pathos that electrifi d the audience. Nothing finer has ever been attempted on the local stage, and Mr Woods justl/ earned the rapturous applause which bis efforts evoked. Ah the heroine " Mona" Miss Maud Williamson was equally successful, ana from her first entry on the stage she won tha favour of the audience. Throughout her acting had a mapneric ohatm, but in the scene where »hp discovers that Dan has murdered Ewsn she was at her best, and whit tint was only those who witnessed this thrilling scene c*n realise. It was < f tha most natural and ' artistic impersonations that has been seen hsre, and no praise !is too strong for her splendid acting. Mr Bootbman as the Buhop both looked and the part excellently. In the Oours sceoe where he claims and secures bis right to judge instead of ton Governor, he was particularly good, his acting being in the best of taste, but in the scene where he pleads with bis eon Din to flee from justice, his acting and declamation rose to a grandeur that s'amped him as being in the front rank of his profession. The pirt of the hard hearted Deemster was taken by Mr Hugh Backler, who did it every justice. Mr Harry Beaumont as Ewan did equally well. Mr Ben Lindou as Hommy Beg created much laughter, especially in the Court sc-ne where his answers proved most droll, Mr Enirst Knight as Davy Tayl >r, tho g'auueb. fuher friend, was also very good. In fact erery member of the company was an artist of more than average merit, and as every attention was paid to detail, the performance was so complete that its pronounced success is easily accounted for. The scenery was not only solid and impropriate, but beautiful and realistic to a degree, while tho music provided by the orchestra was all that could be desired. TO-NIGHT

"THE CHRISTIAN." Judging by oxchanges there is no doubt tint " The Christian" is the flaest and mesfc attractive drama that the company stage o . It had a run of nino nights in Auckland where it drew crowded and delighted houso?. It is an original version by Miss Williamsin of Hall Cairo's nnsterpiecs, and with Mr as " John Storm " arid Miss Williamson as " Glory Qaiyle" it miy fairly bo anticipated that the theatre-going public will have this evening one of the grandest treats thay have ever expsilenced. The scenery in this drama is on a magnificent scale, i and if any drama will draw a crowded house that provided for this evening should ba the one above all others. No one should miss the chance of being present.