THEATRE ROYAL

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4473, 18 July 1893, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL

This evening tho Marian Willis 1 Company will appear in the American serio-comic play ontiilcd " Ertna the | Elf." "Erma tho Elf" is essentially . an American production. It is of tin: usual melodramatic typo and is dealt , with in a bright and livoly manner, the amusing element predominating. , Tho interest of the story hinges upon tho fortunes of Erma, who, when a ; child was stolen from her dying father , by Oscar Horton, an adventurer, and thon handed over to a ruffian named Eobert Buikea, to be made away with. This Eaikes doos not I kill the, child, but adopts her, His brutal ireatmi'iit causes her io fly ; fioin him and she joins Bosanka'a travelling theatre. Slit; is alarmed i by llaikes, and takes lvfug- will) a a kind-hearied old gentleman named Blullkin, who gives her a home, liluffkin has two nephews -Ha ry Itoniney and Oscar Honon—thoadvontnror, Roinney is engaged to Horton'a sister, but her proud and petulant nature- causes him to bestow his lovo on " Erma." This ■ tho uncle oljecti to, and Erma leaves. She then discovers a plot on the part of Horton and llaikes to destroy her and rob her uncle, Raikea' wife is blamed for having betrayed tho conspiracy, and the villian sets bis garret on five. Just as hois about to throw , bis wifo into the flames "Erma" , appears as Mephistoplioles, clad in a , eostuinesho has bought from Bosankn. The dismay of Raikcß is complete, He and Horton are next seen kcik- ; ing a sa(o, and Erma conveniently appears to frustrate them. Tho alarm is given, the robbers are given into custody, and Erma is proved to be tho daughter of Bluffkins' brother, the heiress to great wealth. The finale is a song by Erma and all ends happily.