Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1979, 8 May 1875, Page 2

Amusements.

THEATRE EOYAL. " The Woman in Red" is a highly xen-gji sational play, in the production of which* the author has depended much upon startling situations and exciting incidents, and has centred the interest of the whole plot in the person of the heroine. As a work, it would not appear to claim a high place for itself: the language in most parts is ordinary, and exacts much from the players. The scene is laid in Genoa. The rise of the curtain discloses a cottage, inhabited by two women—one,* a young girl; the other is the wife of a trans* ported felon. -This woman has been intrusted with an infant, the offspring of a Jewish co«ple, Miriam and Reuben, who left the charge to seek their fortune. Just prior to their return, laden with the wealth striven " after, the husband of Marguerite, freed from gaol, enters with a compeer, one Victor Sanson, and they seize the child to replace one in .the family of an Italian noble —the Count' Doriati —that died during a period in which its mother suffered an aborratiori of intellect. Sanson carries off the child at a moment when Mallissett is struggling with Marguerite. Alone together, Mailisett extorts a solemn promise from, his wife to keep inviolate their -secret by threats to rob her of her own child, a little boy, Claude. Mariam then returns with her husband, having succeeded in amassing great wealth; but she finds her child gone, and the woman to whom she entrusted it sworn to conceal the name of the thief. Her entreaties, however, work a natural effect on Marguerite, and that estimable, but distracted woman is just about to confess the whereabouts of.the 1 child, when a shot from the gun of the vi^'ain Mallissett—who has been.keeping watch at the window—puts an end to her existence, and she carries' her secret to the grave. The young woman-Ninon and others rush in. And this is tableau No. 1. Between the fall and rise of the curtain on the second act, a period of sixteen years .is., supposed to have elapsed. Miriam, who at once devoted her life and wealth to the finding of her child, has become a sorceress, money-tender, etc. Her daughter Francesca Donati has grown into womanhood under the roof of the.v-wealthy family whom she supposes to be her relations. The robbers ( who stole the child have grown so muph older in sin jaridNinon, thegirlliving with Marguerite- at the time of her murder, has become a married woman and the mother of a large family, her. husband being a humorous simpleton, Mattie Twitte, who devotes his. energies «to bird catching. The action of the play runs very smoothly, and the characters are all brought to the fore on the opening 1 of the __ second act, after the lapse of sixteen years, during which time, among the many changes worked, Sanson has become a totally different man, never haying been a bad sort ot" fellow, and he directs hig talents in the path of virtue. Miriam, whose husband died shortly after the death of their child, recovers her daughter after much endurance-and many trials, but the girl still clings to old associations and a love she bears for Count Clandio, or Claude,. the son of : Marguerite, now become, a full-grown man. Eventually, however, - she returns her mother's lore, Mariam becomes reconciled to the Countess Danati; and all are united and happy, after the manner of good stories which end in legitimate happiness. Mrs Darrell pourtrayed the character of the unfortunate Miriam admirably. The suffering woman and fond mother were depicted with all the force and expression of which that lady is capable. The part is an exceedingly heavy one, but it was supported spiritedly, and every good situation was made the most of. At the

conclusion of each act the curtain drops on striking tableaux wants,, and nothing was omitted to give them due effect. Miss Stephenson personated the Countess, and did more than justice to the part, as there is, in fact, very little material in the part itself. The same might be said of Marguerite, represented by Mn C. Jones,-, Jj and who only appears in the firfct act. Ai ""■ before stated, the drama seems to hare been compoied for one. character .only, Mariam the. Jewiss. Nevertheless, Mr Darrell succeeded in giving considerable prominence to the character of Sanion. He seemed thoroughly, at home, and. relieved the general melancholy which pervades the play, by his humorous rendering of the part. ' Miss Patty, Holt and Mr Sam Poole also contributed to this end in a great measure; and Mr Holloway, as Mallissett ldoked and acted; the character very naturally. Mr ' Aveling (Count Claudio), who ahould* have been mentioned before, sustained the part allotted to him very creditably. In all respects, indeed, the performance was a; complete success, and reflected credit'on those concerned in its production. We were' pleased to notice that the ~ weather did not deter the public from attending. , There was an excellent house, and to judge from those demon?-i strations by which audiences, are want to-, ■ express their opinions, wo should saythat no one regretted having braved the inclement weather. ; . . • .-,