AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8130, 9 June 1906, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

; "THE FATAL WEDDING." The advent of Messrs Moynell and s Gunn's popular company with the suc- . cessful production, "The Fatal Wed--1 ding," at the Theatre Royal on Monday ! next is boing awaited with keen m- ' terefet. A Sydney writer, referring to I the first performance in Sydney rei marked" It is very questionable if , the Criterion Theatre has ever been so ■ crowded us it was on Saturday night, 1 when Messrs Meynell and Gunn prei sented tho " Fatal Wedding." Expec- , pectation ran high as to what tho new : play—the reports of which had been so ■ glowing—would bo like, and it had not ; been long in progress when its drama- ' tic merit \yas apparant, Tho dominant i featuro of the play is tho introduction of a child character, which is cleverly drawn, and which is admirably acted. The impersonator is little Maisie Posnor, a child of about 10 years old, and her conception of tho part is undoubtedly clever. She speaks hor lines clearly and intelligently, and her movements aro easy and unaffected. In her scenes of pathos, no less than in her lighter moments, she was equally at home, and tho audience was not slow in recognising her excellent character study." Tho musical interludes and the delightful children's scenes, which aro such important faotors ia tho play, will be presented by over thirty trained children.

" The Fatal Wedding," although m its fifth year, is still being played throughout England, America and Australia, and is stated to- elaini the unique distinction of being the most consistently successful play ever produced in Australia. In the Melbourne Theatre Royal " The Fatal Wedding " ran for over five weeks to crowded houses, and for weeks past, it is stated, hundreds have been turned away at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney. " The Fatal Wedding" is described as a play of great heart interest, and in this

lies the secrot of its popularity It is said to appeal to the people, and while human nature remains as it is to-day, the appeal will always strike a responsive chord. A critic wrote of its first appearance in Melbourne:— " The 'Fatal Wedding' raises no abstruse psychological problems j it tarries not by the way, but goes straight to the mark. In the lighter vein the revels of the slum children at Jessie's surprise party, and tho opportunity the scene affords for the lliirty talented children engaged for a remarkable display of dancing, singing, and marching, aro amongst the features which have helped to the triumphant success of the play." The season is limited to two nights only.