"FOUL PLAY "

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 24 February 1914, Page 3

"FOUL PLAY "

There is a wealth of interest and sensation in Madame Bernard's latest enterprise, the great Edison drama ka«ed on Charles Reade's famous story and entitled "Foul Play." The plot ami the presentation of it are described as a masterpiece.

The drama, is shown in three parts, the principal characters being an idolised young college spendthrift, Arthur Wardlaw; his tutor, Rev. Penfold; and Helen Rollcston, daughter of General Rolleston. Young Wardlaw forges his father's signature to a cheque which he i hands to Penfold, and when the forgery ■ is discovered he leaves Penfold to face the accusation. 11l with brain fever j on account of the worry, Arthur is not present at the trial, and Penfold's plea of innocence is disregarded. The unjustly convicted man is deported to Australia, and is eventually released on parole as gardner to Helen's father, and he manages to fall head over ears in love with that young lady, who knows nothing of this. AVard'lnw, by this time his father's partner, has by his rash speculations brought the firm to the verge of-ruin. and to make matters right he schemes to scuttle a ship which I is supposed to be bringing gold, but is to be laden with lead before leaving port, his idea being to obtain the insurance on the gold. This necessitates a visit to Sydney, and there Penfold (now James Seaton) learns that the man who ruined his life is the betrothed of the idol of his (Seaton*.?) devotion. By a trick of fate, Helen travels by the doomed ship, but Seaton goes by the same vessel disguised as a clergyman. Helen and Robert eventually land on an uninhabited island, and the film portrays vividly their struggle for existence. Pity 'being akin to love, the love of the ex-parson, ex-con-vict is returned, and when at last General Rolleston's search vessel approaches the island, Helen is loth to leave her companion, who is recognised by her father as his convict gardner. Meanwhile Wardlaw is in agony because of the supposed loss of his sweetheart on the scuttled ship. Helen, who possesses all the attributes of a noble woman, proves Robert's innocence, and confronts Wardlaw with the victim of the crime of forgery. Arrest follows, but in a moment's respite he passes by his own hand into worlds where it is said men receive their reward according to their lives on earth. Other participants in the story have a happier endi '""• j There is a fine programme in support of this truly great drama.