DOBSON-KENNEDY CO.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3738, 17 February 1891, Page 2

DOBSON-KENNEDY CO.

The- shaughraunThe Dobson-Kennedy Dramatic and Comedy Company, which has just completed a very successful tour of the West Coast of the South Island opened in the Theatre Royal, Masterton. last evening, with Dion Boucicault's popular Irish drama, " The Shaughraun," the audience being large and enthusiastic. The company, which is composed of sixteen members, is one of the strongest that has ever visited Masterton, and their powerful caste of the various characters in the romantic drama produced at their opening performance will long ho remembered. The plot of " The Shaughraun" is clever, though simple, and impresses all with the true sense of patriotism which exists in " Ould Ireland." The scene is opened in County Sligo, where there resides ut family named Ffolliot Robert Ffolliot, a young Fenian Rebel, is transported to Australia, and his sister Claire is leit at home with his sorrowing sweetheart Arte O'Neal. Corry Kinchela, a rougish squire, who is assisted in his efforts by Harvey Duff, a police spy, threatens to evict Claire Ffolliott, and Arte O'Neal unless the latter consents to become his wife. This Arte indignantly refuses, stating that she is the affianced lovu- of Robert Ffolliott. Father Dolan, the parish priest, hearing of Kinchela's threats, appears upon the scene and offers the unfortunate girls shelter. Con,, the "Shaughraun" soon after presents himself as the lover of the priests niece, and by his ludicrous conduct and brave heart relieves all the monotony attending the distressing surroundings of the case. By astring of wonderfully interesting, though strangecircumstances, Captain Molyneaux, an English officer, is decoyed away by Claire Ffolliott, and Robert Ffolliott, who has returned fiom Australia, but has been re-captured, makes his escape from gaol and by the assistance of Con goes to sea, where he receives a full pardon, Con, however, is Bhot down in his efforts to secure the escape, and it is then that the Irish wake over Con's dead (?) body takes place. The scene is a pathetic one. Soon afterwards Corry Kinchela receives the reward of his inhuman conduct, andja family union takes place amongst the Ffolliott's, Robert being married to Arte O'Neal, Claire to Captain Molyneaux, and the irrepressible Con to Moya Dolan. The leading character in the piece is assumed by Mr J. J. Kennedy, "The Shaughraun," who keeps the audience in fits of laughter even under the most melancholy circumstances. Miss Idrene Thornton, who took the part of Con's sweetheart, acted throughout in a very pleasing manner, and her brogue was certainly good. Her rendition of that patriotic Bensj, "The wearing of the Green" was highly appreciated, and she was loudly applauded. As Claire Ffolliott, Miss Lily Hill acted gracefully, and Miss May Vernon, as Arte O'Neal was a great success. Mrs W. E. Jermyn was a capital mother to Con, and the character could not hare been more faithfully pourtrayed. Mr Frank Norton, as Captain Molyneaux, Mr Harvey Saville as Father Dolan, and Mr Collet Dobson as Robert Ffolliott weie in their right places, whilst Mr Jermyn as Corry Kinchela and Mr Cowan as Harvey Duff, were the villains to. the letter. The minqr parts were also well presented, and the performance as a whole was a credit to the company. Mr A von Keisenberg presided at the piano, in his usual professional style, The second performance of the company will be given this evening, when that sensational drama, " Current Cash," will be put on. We trust again to see this talented company greeted with a bumper house.