"LUCKY DURHAM."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10259, 10 June 1911, Page 5

"LUCKY DURHAM."

AT THE MASTEBTON TOWN HALL. The production cf Wilson Barrett's ' latest and most fascinating conception in the dramatic art at the Mastertoii Town Hall, by the talented Company of which Mr Harry Roberts and Mass Beatrice Day are the principalis, was witnessed by an audience which testified its appreciation in a most demonstrative manner. "Lucky Durham" is a drama possessing all the elements which go* to supply piquancy to the hum-drum of every- ' day life. It pourtrays in lurid colours the lofty ideals of the British aristocracy and tihe machinations of j the poor but titled lady whose designs to add wealth to name are \ frustrated by the power and emotion of the negative quantity known as "love." The plot of the piece is cleverly contrived, and the various situations are unfolded with a co-or-dination which is strikingly effective. The drama affords ample scope for the insinuating though graceful acting of Miss Beatrice Cay (as ; Lady Mountfiallon), and the genial architecture of manly virtue presented by Mr Harry Roberts,' as- John Durham. The former makes a bold and persistent attempt to capture the affections of John Durham (who is an American millionaire) for her daughter Margaret, but her efforts fail beneath the rural simplicity; of the too-verdant daughter -and the determination of the millionaire to capture, the heir to< an oM English family of wealth. Some of the situations were exceedingly humorous, . and the climax was reached in _ a somewhat sensational manner. Miss J Beatrice Day gave an excellent in- j terpretatkm of the character of j Lady Mourutfallon, whilst the force- j ful acting of Mr Harry Roberts/ gained for him the unstinted plaud-' its of the audience. Mass Ethel Bachford, as Helen Vallerton, did Ml justice to a delicate part, whilst Mr Victor Fitzherbert (as James Vallerton), and Mr Herbert Leigh (as Lord Mountfallon) showed" considerable histrionic talent. Miss Maud Cbcburn (as Margaret Steighton), and Mr Kenneth Brampton (as Reggie Steighton) were also very successful. Indeed, there was not a, weak spot in the whole cast. "Lucky Durham" is one of the most fascinating plays that has been produced in Masterton. The mounting and dresses were exquisite, and the musical accompanimerits gave a finish, to a drama which delighted tihe large audience, and sent everybody, .home more than satisfied.