ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 263, 16 April 1915, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"WITHIN THE LAW." By Bayard Vcllier, "Within the Law" is generally acknowledged to be one of the best constructed of recent 'American dramas. In London this production succeeded better than any previous American play. The play deals chiefly with the injustice of pluto<crats, and the brutality and criel "third degree" examinations by the New York police. The story is about Mary Turner, an exceptionally intelligent shop girl, wrongly convicted of the theft of a hundred dollars' worth of old lace. Notwithstanding all her protestations of innocence, her wealthy employer unrelentingly presses for a convictim as an example to other girls. On her release she is driven through police interference to become associated with a band of New York forgers and blackmailers, and by the aid of her brainy ideas they manage to keep " within the law." She is determined to have her revenge on Edward Gilder, and eventually does so by marrying his only son, Richard. She sends for th* father to the " crooks'" quarters, and in a dramatic scene revals her identity-- "Four years ago," she says* " you took away my name and gave m* a number, now I have given up that number, and I've got your name." TW succeeding acts are full, of intense interest. In the last act there is a remarkable scene at the police office of the "third degree" between Joe Carson and Inspector Burke. Last night's production at the Theatro Roy.il was witnessed by a large and appreciative audience. Miss Hilda Dorrington, as .Mary Turner, fully realised the nu- . tiler's heroine. Her most successful ' scenes wen! those with Edward Gilder in Act I. and Police Inspector Burke in t Act 11. Mr. Wilton Power, us Inspector Bonrke, handled the part in a masterly fashion. Mr. Lionel Walsh, a* •Toe Carson. Mr. Hubert Lee. as Dema Lelix Bland, as Dick Gilder, together with Miss Pein Tlogue, as Aggie Lynch, and Kathleen Murray, as Helen Morris, shared the honors of the evening. The sees*ery and effects were complete, and tht performance throughout was of a high order. The company appears in " Within the L.> iv " to-night at Inglewood.