HOLLOWAY DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8364, 21 February 1907, Page 4

HOLLOWAY DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"TWO LITTLE VAGABONDS." The Holloway Dramatic Companystaged "The Two Little Vagabonds." in the Town Hall last evening. The Town Hall was packed upstairs and downstairs and standing room only was obtainable. The plot of the piece is a long one, but it may be summarised as follows:—Marian, Thornton (Miss Rosa Conroy) in endeavouring to shields her husband's sister from exposure places herself in such an unenviable position that her husband is convinced that the love affairs of his sister are hers, and iri his jealous rage he hands his chi'd to , a house breaker and casts off his faithful wife. Letters that contain; evidence that would have righted matters are stolen. The 'child leads a vagabond's life, yet he displays a noble- character as protector of another waif named "Wally," who is dying of consumption. Marion Thornton is imposed upon >by being led to believe that "Wally"' is her lost son, but she discovers her mistake when the waif "Dick" re-enters his old home and recognises an old torn . toy book. In the last act the curtain falls on the scene of the death of "Wally,;' who sacrifices his life that the "gang',' may not carry away his dear chum Dick. In the role of "Dick," Miss Beatrice Hotloway gave a finished and natural interpretation of the character. Her acting was greatly admired and applauded. Miss Mabel Russell* made an excellent "Wally.*' Mr Robert Inman was most successful in the pourtrayal of the character of George Thornton. Mr Godfrey Cass acted the part of Captain Dareville well. The other characters were in capable hands. This evening, by special arrangement with Mr J. C. Williamson, the company will stage "Shadows of a Great City," a drama which is described as intensely exciting and sensational. "' There is' undoubtedy a special sagacity required for gauging ' public taste, says a contemporary, and Mr Charles Holloway, who has had a long theatrical career, should be able to gauge the taste of playgoers to a nicety. The staging of "The' Shadows of a Great City" is more than judicious; and who that can recall the late Grattan Riggs as Biddy Roonan does not hanker to see the same character again? In the hands of Mr John P. O'Neill, the pourtrayal will lose nothing, for his performance is said to be inimit-; able. As Nellie Standish, the daughter "faithful and true," Miss Beatrice Holloway will be well cast, and a long list of characters will include Mr Robert Inman as Tom Cooper, Miss Rosa Conroy as Helen Standish, and Mr Jefferson Taite as Arkwright, the detective. Among the scenery, which is by Messrs Ricketts, Vaughan and Diamond, are several fine samples of the painter's art, the best being "the Hellgate Rocks," a portion of the second act. Another scene presented is an admirable night view of a dismal waterside neighbourhood, where the villain's accomplice endeavours to destroy the infant heroine. To-morrow night Mr Holloway will present the latest London success "Under Remand," and this will conclude the company's brief stay in Masterton.