STAR DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3095, 19 January 1909, Page 5

STAR DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"ZIRA."

A most appreciative audience witnessed the production of "Zira" in the Town Hall, Masterton, last evening,when tne intensely emotional drama "Zira" was staged. The plut, in epitome, is centred in the personation by Hester Treat (Zira) of Ruth Wilding, niece of Lady Constance Clavering, the artifice ensuing successfully through the real niece becoming seriously (Zira believes fatally) injured on the battlefield in South" Africa, and Lady Clavering never having seen her. Love stories are entwined in the immediate career opening out for Zira, but in the last retribution comes, though the exposure, brings for Zira (who in her early life led a chequered though innocent career) a husband in a nephew of Lady Covering's, a missionary curate. Miss Ola Humphrey carried through with signal success the very difficult name part, and the audience repeatedly gave expression to hearty approval of her fine dramatic efforts. Mr Henry Kolker as the Rev. Gordon Clavering was a very strong character, and he and Miss Susie" VauKhan (Lady Clavering) were also strong favourites with the audience. Mr Titheradge's interpretation of Sir Frederick Knovvles, M.R.C.S., was a -\treat to see. Mr Cyril Mackay, as Captain Sylvester, exhibited a most capable conception of a difficult part. The other characters were all well cast, and from start to finish the audience were "held" by the clever acting. The scenery and music were again features of the performance.