AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 78, 28 April 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

A MINER'S TRUST

Messrs. Meynell and Gunu's talented company opened a four night's season at the Theatre Royal last night, to a good house. The reputation gained on the last occasion of the company's visit, when "The Little Breadwinner" was so successfully staged, did not stiller by last night's comparison, the piece staged, " The Miner's Trust," meeting with a splendid reception, Messrs. Meynell and Gunn deserve all credit for the gorgeous dressing of the piece, the scenic effects being much above the average. The wreck scene, particularly, was very realistic. The prologue opens on a promising story in Australian mining lit'-. Allan Trengrove and Jack Howard :v:< partners in a claim, and, having "struck it rich," are about to separate. Their ways lie apart. Howard is to go to the Homeland to fulfil a romantic attachment to a blind girl who loves him l , Trengrove intends to remain in the colonies and enjoy life. On their last night together Howard is murdered for his gold by a noted criminal, one Gaspare! Le Rouge, and, for the sake of the blind girl who is waiting, Trengrove adopts the identity of his dead mate a:id : goes home to plu'y a dual life. From this on the plot," though cleverly constructed, is somewhat vague, aiid the connecting of lite acts is more or less conjecture. Trengrove finds himseli making love to the blind girl, while n reality he loses his heart to her cousin, Ida Medway. This young lady is also loved by Arthur Trengrove (a distant relation' of Allan Trengrove). Arthur Trengrove inherits a large fortune through the hero havbg surrendered his identity to a dead man. Of course the hero has to play a desperately losing game, and Arthur'Trengrove, not being satisfied with the mSiiitier (in. Miich affairs are working out, «ls to work io expose the so-called Howard.- The plot is not u very strong one here, as the villain does 'nothing very desperate or even despicable. An audience loves a villiau who is an out-and-out. double dyed, scheming scoundrel. During a ball al the lioiim'. of Captain lledway a ' terrific storm arises and the coa»tgnardsI men give the signal "a ship in distress. ) The ship si likes'a reef and founders, the onlv person saved being Le Rouge, who is 'rescued by the hero swimming out i in the tempestuous sea. Le Rouge is - interviewed by Arthur Trengrove, and the latter learns that the hero is not

Howard, but the murderer refuses to "ivc Howard's real itlontity, although tin' blind girl has suspected for scum' time that Howard is not her old lover. Final events show that the hero is not at all opposed to having his identity established, lie, of coursfc, comes in for the fortune claimed liy Arthur Ironorove, his love for Ida Mcdway is warmly reciprocated, and the villain has to retire mneli crestfallen and completely hall'led. The piece received full justcie at the hands of the company. Miss Beatrice llolloway struck an artistic note of pathos as the Wind girl, Aliiv Medway, while Miss Lilian Meyers, a skilful' emotional actress who has not been seen here before, was distinctly pleasing as Isa Mcdway. Miss Mabel Kussell filled the light comedy rohe o I Home Mcdway with success, and Miss Alice Deorwyn was clever and amusing as the eccentric Aunt Hypatia! . Mr. Heruert J. Bentley was convincing as the hero, Alan Trengrovc. Mr. F. Coope was effective as the somewhat colorless villain, Arthur Trengrove. Mr. J. Ji. Atholwood gave a good study as Gaspard Le Rouge, and Mr. Leo D. Chateau was successful as Mr. Proliit, a lawyer. Some good broad comedy was supplied by Mr. Kwry Hallcy as Bill- Bobstay.j while Mr. Lance Vane contributed lighter amusement as Algernon Faii-hairn, a somewhat spoonev young naval officer. Mr. J. E. Howard was successfully nwt . as Captain Medwav, and a hriglit sketch i

French police oHicer. Other characters were suitably lilled, and the piece was mounted with pleasing attention to detail. "TWO LITTLE SAILOR BOYS." TO-NIGHT. A popular English success, "Two Little Sailor Hoys." will be produced for this evening only. The play is described as an intense ojicihal dramatic wink, written by that 'clever dramatist, Waller Howard. To-morrow (Thursday) night there will lie another change of bill, when will be staged the pathetic story of strong child interest "The Little Breadwinner," when littl,. Queeiiie Williams and Mangle Dickenson, two of the cleverest children of the famous Tin Can Band, will make their appearance. The staging of Arthur Shirley's latest and most successful drama "Tlie Stepmother' will conclude the New Plymouth season on Friday night.