MISS GENEVIEVE WARD.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 229, 31 January 1885, Page 12

MISS GENEVIEVE WARD.

" FOIIGET ME XOT."

Tiiii advent of this talented actress, Miss G-cncviovo Ward, is being- looked forward to with keen interest by all true lovers of thehistrionic art, and we predict a crowded, house on Monday night next, when "Forget Me Xot " will be producer! for the first time in Auckland. A .Southern contemporary eritisin tlie piece, says: This play is one of themost perfect of its kind i>e:rlia,ps that has ever emanated from the pen of English dramatists, and when at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 181 H, was held by all critics to be the best original drama of the season. In spite of the prominence given to it by Miss "Ward'sextraordinary acting- of the principal part, a subtle character study, calling for tlio possession of the very highest powers in her who attempts its impersonation, "Forget Me Not " is by no means that objectionable^, unnatural thing, a ' one -part ' play. Every character is well and boldly drawn ; everypart admits of good and skilful handling. As for the principal character, Stephanie, Marquise de Mohrivart, it may not be an altogether pleasant creation, but it is, nevertheless, a thoroughly consistent, finished, and artistic portrait of the adventuress and woman of the world. Although there is excited by it — for Miss Ward plays it so perfectly and naturally that one cannot invariably separate the actress and her part — .something of the hatred of the serpent which all men feel, there is also present, at the same time, somewhat of the serpent's fascination, which renders it impossible not to admire. It is hardly too much to say that now and then they seemed positively afraid of her — -of a woman, at once so hard, so cruel, so heartless so vindictive, and so brave. For the play throughout is a fair fight between a woman and a man ; and there is something so singular in the strange combat in which, with: good weapons on either .side, the weakerapjjear.s until the very end a triumph, that the breathless silence which accompanied, several of the scenes, broken but rarely by an involuntary "s-sh-h!" seemed often to proceed as much from awe as from strained, attention. That interpretation of the behaviour of an audience may seem extravagant, and -to imply a compliment higher than any actress may aspire to. Let those wiio think so wait until they have seen the actress to whom it was paid. Miss GcncvieveA Van I is an actress who may aspire to any compliment that the most active fancy can conceive — she is without doubt one of the most wonderful urtistr.i of the time. Mr WII. Vernon, who has never before appeared in Auckland, comes amongst us with the reputation of a clever painstaking actor, 'while the company who support Miss Ward are far above mediocrity.