AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10041, 15 July 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"REVENGE" AT THE TOWN HALL. Thp romantic melodrama, "Revenge," whirh was performed for the first time at tbe Town Hall last evening by the Hamilton-Maxwell Company, deserved a better attendance, but considering the wretched weather, the audience was a fairly good oDe. The drama is easily one of the 1 beat things in its line that Masterton has f- een for a long time. The story of the play is a most engrossing one, the play is beautifully set and costumed, and the acting is excellent. What more than that could be said of any play? The four acts—comprising ten scenes—unfold a story which is thrilling in its inte sity. An Austrian Emperor—such a man as might have Btepped from an Anthony Hope novel—is in grave danger, being surrounded on all sides by spies and conspirators. Chief of these is the heir to the throne, Prince Orloff, a trusted general in the army of the Emperor, and professedly his most devoted friend. His first lieu- J tenant is Draga Vanessa, the rene-1 gade wife of a gallant captain of | hussars These two work much mis- ' chief. Discovered in their conspiracy by Captain Vanessa, they succeed in blinding him, so that he cannot identify them. They plot to take the life of the King and the honour of the Queen. Orloff does succeed in assassinating his Emperor, but his schemes go no iorther, for Vaness recovers his sight, and the revenge for which he has long prayed is granted him. Woven Into the story are numerous conspiracies and adventures, together with some delightful _ touches of comedy and not a Uttie love. '-

Miss Beatrice Holloway, as the young English girl who shares the precarious throne, is a very sweet queen, and her gentle, finished acting earned her a most hearty reception. In the scene where she allows the poor blind officer to tell her of bis love—he knows her not as the queen but only as a woman—she was superb. A different kind of popularity was that of Mr Richard Bellairs, who played the difficult part of the arch-conspirator, Prince Orloff, with consummate skill. At times his villainy called down upon his head the most candidly-expressed opprobrium of the "godß"—surely the greatest compliment that the audience could have paid him. - Mr Max ! Maxwell played Captain Vanessa, the hero, and he put into his work much real pathos, bliss Mabel Russell made a very lovable Lieutenant Maurize, the young son of Vanessa; who takes such an important part in the frustrating of the conspiracy. A fine study was that of Mr Charles Brown, as Jim Jennings, A.8., of a British Mart-o'-war. Most of the humour was in his hands, and he soon became the h*»ro of the audience. Miss Nellie Strong (Uraga Vanessa), Mr Godfrey Cass, (the King), Mr Sydney Devine | (a footman), Mr S. A. Fitzgerald fa French Count whose actions are ludicrously funny), and Mr John Bruce (Captain David Carr, R.N.), ate all excellently suited.

To-night "Woman and Wine" will be staged for tbe second and last production. In this splendid drama—one of the Holt pieces—old friends are welcomed in Mr Max Maxwell, Mr Charles Brown, and Mr Godfrey Cass. Miss Beatrice Holloway, Miss Vera Remee, Miss Nellie Strong, Miss Mabel Russell, and Miss Muriel Dale, are,now associated with the old guard of nopular melodrama. The scenic settings are tnose which were painted by the late John Brunton. The most conspicuous figure in "Woman and Wine" is Marcel Rigadout, "the woman with the marble heart," who smiles but to destroy. Marcel is a female bvengali in fine clothes, and she has Dick Seymou?, a young student, bound as by a spell —her dupe and her plaything. In the nature of things the adventuress keeps Dick away from the good girl who loves him. Marcell meets her Waterloo in the Flower Market in the third act, when she is killed in a duel with another woman. Dick is arrested and charged with the crime. Ultimately he finds happiness in the arms of the loyal-hearted girl who has remained true in storm and sunshine. Given fine weather there ought to be . a packed house to. witness this excel(lent play.

THOMPSON-PAYNE PICTURES,

There wps a fair attendance at the Foresters' Hall last nighty despite the inclement weather and counter attractions. The new programme is full of interest, and it was received by unstinted applause. "The Falls of the Potomac" ib a very pretty scenic subject, and shows some of the beauty spots on this fine American river. "Mount Etna in Eruption" serits 11., gives a fine idea of the recent disastrous volcanic disturbance. The clergy praying, and the various religious services in the adjacent villageß, are shown, and the river** of molten ruck can ciearly be seen. j "Calino Plays Billiards" is a clever | travesty on a billiard match. "Pis I Last Burglary" is a very pathetic drama, showing how a man who strives to lead an honest life is tempted, and steals to succour his dying child and starving wife. "Foolshead Learning Somersaults" is very laughable, and kept the audience in a simmer of merriment. This eerier will be repeated again this evening.