THEATRE ROYAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 234, 30 October 1903, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THK CHRISTIAN." It is sife to assume that the reading public, almost without exception, have read Hall Game's famous work, a dramatised version of which was performed by the Woods-Williamson Company on Thursday night. Mtfs Williamson is to be congratulated most heartily on the ednll manifested by her in the version of "The Christian" staged lass n'gh*;. It is pre-eminently calculated to please and enthral the audiencp, while it gives ample scope to r.lio parformsrs for the exhibition of al! that besi in histrionic art, As was anticipated tbe drama was played in a vray that was a revelation even to old playgoers, and it is a distinct pleasure to be able to record the fact that it was the finest mounted and most artically neted play that has been in Now Pymoufch. As "John Storm" Mr Woods was sesn at bis best. The various conflicting moods of this curiously organised and, at times, fanatical ptrsonage were pourtrayed with a subtlety and skill that were beyond all j praise, while his elocution was through j out replete with refiued intelligence and dramatic power. Tho close of I tho second act was undoubtedly his best effort and so aroused the audience that the curtain had to be raised three times. The scene which will probably linger longest in the memory of those present was the finale—the deathbed marriage. It wa> perfect; in every detail, and its touching pathos app-aled to every heart. As Glory Quayle, Miss Williamson was a brilliant success. Her light-hearted moods weie sparkling, yet always exhibiting a vein of repressed tenderness, while tho more serious moods were delineated with magnificent skill and effect. Her performance throughout was a treat, that playgoers will long remember. Wi'h two such brilliant stars it might woll be thought that the efforts of the other mtmbers of the Company would suffer by comparison, but this was not so, for tha reason that they are all accomplished artists, and though the cas*; includes 30 characters, each was impersonated in a styla that was in keeping with the excellence of the two chief performers, the result being that their efforts were crowned with signal success, as the hearty applause of the audiencs testified. Tbe scenery waa egain on a scale of lavish splendour and completeness, and the orchestra, under the baton of Mr Hawkins, added to the pleasure of a memor able evening.

TO-NIGHT "HANDS AG BOSS THE SEA." This popular nautical drama which has added so much to the rcputatien of the author, Mr Henry Petsiff, is 000 t hat should attract; a far larger audienca than the solid dramus already produce! by the Company. It is full of incident, interest, and has a fair share of humour, while it is mounted in tho fame grand way as the other plays. Amongst the scenes is one of Sydney Harbour, a veri'able triumph of thu scene painters art, while the representation of the deck of a liner is also 1 most faithfully shown. Those who care for a raal treit shotil 1 rot miss being present to-night. On Saturday { night tha season will close with a! dramatic version of Hall Oaine'sj " Manxman." j