UNKNOWN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81877, 30 October 1906, Page 3

UNKNOWN

"Dorothy the Theatre Royal on Hon al * h < to a densely packed house , *» ■ great success. The story i.» ?»Y. olden time.," and the r, ™"P Characters pourtrayed before U « «"°' lights were Queen Elizabeth 01 *- n f= land, Mary Queen of Scots i-oji Burleigh, and other people ki ,y *| only in history. The dialogue •» cured, of course, of the ElizabetL ,al period, whilst the dressing was en a jacterised by all the variety, nchncs and brightness of that gaily dre»sca Court. Pitched among scenes ox old-time grandeur, "Dorothy Vernon" has with it a charm of year-, and the scenic effects, palatial scenery, and simplicity of the costuming oi the country folk, made a splendid setting for the brilliant work of the central figure, Dorothy Vernon, who fcreathed again in Mi*> Tit'ell Brum*. There was a something_in her acting that turned the stage into whatever it was represented to be, that bespoke her as the playful child, the masterful daughter, petulant, peevish and spoiled, self-willed or meek, simple and childish by turn, .putting Jjer whole soul into her work. It wa» hard to say where slit »hone jnost brightly, or in what scents she jwas most popular. She was the jdol in her delight at the prospect ifit a disputed courtship, and equally •delightful in her demure love-mak-ing. Her open defiance of the matchmaking aunt, and the wheedling manner in which the objections if fcer father were generally dispelled, her sudden change to sparkling vivacity, made interesting every moment ■of her stay upon the boards. A woman grown, she defied her false lover, and exposed his perfidy, cajoled iher Queen, and hoodwinked her capitors in a style that was irresistible. Another fine piece of acting was Mr J. B. Atholwood's impersonation of the choleric S;r George Vernon. He was easily first in the male characters. Miss Susie Vaughan pleased immensely with her pourtrayal of the Queen of England, her imperious gesture being no less true than her susceptibility to flattery The proud and haughty Lady Vernon fNiiss Clara Stephenson) and Mary Queen of Scots (Miss Helen Ferguson) were also fine characters. The jester (Mr Maurice Dudley- had a bg part, and did it well. The two courtiers, Sir John Manners and Sir Malcolm_ Vernon (Mr T. Kingston and Mr Menvale) showed a certain lack of th' roughe«, that contrasted with the surroundings. Though the play was full of pleasing features, and <>T good acting, there was, beyond the moral of a good woman's devotion, little <>f lasting benefit to the hundreds who attended. There was almost an element of coarseness that m'glit well Jje deleted from our modern plays.