THE GRATTAN RIGGS COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3174, 27 October 1892, Page 2

THE GRATTAN RIGGS COMPANY.

THE IRISH DETECTIVE.

Notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather on Tuesday evening, a bumper house greeted Mr Grattan Riggs on his first appearance before a Waikato audience at the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton. " The Irish Detective " was chosen for the occasion, and throughout the audience was kept both amused and interested. The mounting of the piece was all that could be desired, and ther# was not the slightest hitch. The principal character is thai of Arthur Tracey, the Irish detective, who is very aptly named, taken by Mr Riggs himself, and in the pourtrayal of which he assumed no less than seven disguises, representing six different nationalities, each allowing a wide scope tor capable character-acting, which is taken advantage of to the full by Mr Grattan Ritas, the fame which had preceded him being ably upheld. If we may be allowed to say so, Mr Riggs surpasses himself in the two Irish characters—that of an old farmer "who wouldn't harm a child" and the apple woman ; but in each character he was excellent, and his appsarance was the signal for enthusiastic applause. Mr Riggs is supported by a powerful company, and although the other parts are small, as compared with the detective, they were, made the moat of. As the villian, Mr Richard Stockton, and afterwards Dr. M idway, Mr Inelis gained the entire dislike of the audience, and on several occasions was hissed. Mr Inman ably sustained the character of William Hoyte who is wrongfully accused of the murder of Mr Elton, a lawyer, repOßing the utmost confidence in two of his clerks, and proposes to take them into partnership, borne deeds having been stolen from the safe, a celebrated detective, Arthur Tracey (Mr Grattan Riggs) is put n P on tl,e track, and suggests to Mr Elton that one of his clerks has betrayed his trust. This idea the old man indignantly rejects as absurd, but is overwhelmed with surprise at finding one of Ins employees, "William Stockton (Mr Scot Inglis) in the act of extracting \aluable documents from the safe ihe tluef, finding himself discovered by his master, plunges a dagger into the old man s breast just as William HoytQ (Mr A.. E. Inman) comes upon the scene and dis covers that his master has been murdered Stockton reappears aud in the presence of the detective accuses Hoyte of killing Mr Elton. Circumstances b«ing atronsrly against the accused he is arrested and the remainder of the play consists of asenes of incidents in which detective Tracey figures, and wbtab lead uo to the ultimate capture of the real culprit. Hoyte is not kept in goal long, for Tracy, in 'he disguise of a drunken Irishman (Michael Doolan), follows Stockton to a gambling den *nd overhears the murdorer confessing his crime to a confederate. Tracay is too precipitate in disclosing his identity, and almost falls a victim to his temerity. He experiences several of these marvellous escapes attendant upon the discoveries ho makes, and finally captures his prisoner who bas battled him by assuming tlx© disguise of a doctor who attains a great reputatisn for benevolence) but who is really responsible for a number of mysterious disappearances. The detective been successful all ends happily. During the evening the principals were repeatedly called before the ourtain, and were received in euch a manner as to show that their efforts were thoroughly appreciated. The company is a strong one and it was indeed a revelation to many who had come to the Agricultural Show that so good a company could be seen in Waikato. We would strongly recommend the residents of the various townships visited by Mr Riggs, to be sure and attend, as if they do not, they will miss a treat not likely to be obtained in Waikato for some time again. Last night the company played "A rrah-Na-Pogue " to a crowded house, and the same, no doubt, will be accordcd them to-night when " Famine" will be p'ayed.