THE VIVIAN DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1932, 20 August 1889, Page 2

THE VIVIAN DRAMATIC COMPANY.

This company appeared in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, last evening to an excellent house. The Vivians came heralded by a capital reputation for giving really good representations of the dramas they place on the stage, and j vre j. have no hesitation in saying 'that- they fully realised our expectations.. The, play, considering that the scenic effects of the hall "are rather limited, was neatly mounteiLr and the stage presented a cheerful and comfortable The play consisted of a dramatised version of Mrs /Wo od’g famous novel; “ East Lynne,” m five acts, but we presuiie our readers are pretty well acquainted with the plot, ilt deals with a young wife who runs away with the s villain of the piece, but afterwards comes back in disguise and fills the position of governess to her own Children. It is highly sensational, and it givdfc the l lady who fills the double role oi the young wife and the governess much scope for diplaying histrionic ability. Miss Helen Vivian didrfoll justice to both parts. In our last issue we published an extract ; from an Auckland paper, giving a description of her acting, and we deem it Mly necessary to add. to it that last night she gave a splendid representation of her part. She dressed well, spoke her lines in a clear resonant voice, and left nothing to be desired. As the repentant wife and Madame Vine she } was most realistic. Mr Viyiah, as the villain Sir Francis Levison, acted hia part with an excellence, worthy ,of all praise. His cold,: icy, .chilling;indifference. and his biting sarcasm,' was moat effective. Nor was' Miss' Christina Tennyson; who represented Miss Cornelia, a ? whit Jess wdrthy’pf notice. Was hav(u often seen the ; play before, but never a better Miss Cornelia. ~ Her make-up, her old-rhaidish primness, and her sense;-of propriety, were brought put to. perfection, while her tenderhsias when her good nature was ' appealed to was<! pourtrayed with ; n equal fidelity. l ‘Mr H:‘' Jerdim-gafe* •» good, even, and gentlemaiily representation of Archibald Carlyle,-.and showed a thoricjugh appreciation of it. Lord Mount Severn was well represented by Mr Newton, the hunted but innocent Richard Hare, by Mr Beresford, Mr'Dill by Mr Harceiiirt, and Detective Bullock by Mr Bichaer, and all of them played their' parts well. We should not omit ,Miss Majid Durand, who gave a nice, quiet;’ 5 intelligent rendering of Barbara Hare. On the whole the' play was capitally acted, and the frequency of the applause showed it was thoroughly appreciated. A most amusing farce, in ; which Mr Vivian sang some excellent j comic songs, woundup the performance/ This evening a dramatised; yepsion of Mis# Braddoh’s “ Lady "Aiidlej’s Secret ” will be followed by one. of ;the most amusing comedies ever put on the stage; entitled “ Sam.” = This ; .ss an old play under a new name, and is really both Clever and amusing. Anyone desirous of enjoying a good laugh should goto see “ Sam.” ' '