THEATRE ROYAL, TO-NIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 817, 4 February 1903, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL, TO-NIGHT.

“ BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER.’

The Majcroni Dramatic Company arrived this morning per s.s. Talune, and will commence their season at the Theatre Loyal this evening. The play which has been selected for to-night is a sensational and powerfully-written domestic drama, entitled “ Drother Against Brother.” This fine play has been received in New Zealand with marked enthusiasm, and is considered one of the best dramas of modern days. Not since “The Silver Eng” flashed through the theatrical firmament has any play been presented which has obtained such a hold of play-goers in England, America, and Australia as this fine play. Surprising incidents, dramatic situations, and clever, clear-cut characterisation, and sensational denouncements are unique in their boldness and originality. There are now a score of companies touring England aDd America with the play. Speaking of the Majeroni Company’s performance of this drama, a contemporary says ' ll The acme of the histrionic art is to have enthralled, interested, and amused your audience—to take them out of themselves and make them believe that they are looking on a sccno in real life in all its uaturalness, while at the same time pleasing them to such an extent as to leave the impression behind of having given a glimpse of real life and enjoyment. And all this we can truly say was accomplished by the Majeroni Company in Brother against Brother last night at the Theatre lloyal. The drama possesses a well-con-ceived and carefully-elaborated story of misdirected vengeance, two stories of the kind, in fact, interwoven with each other. In one case an elderly gentleman introduces to a wealthy manufacturer as an example, under an assumed name, a son whom the manufacturer had deserted in infancy, and whose mother he had caused to be represented as dead before her death occurred, so that the manufacturer was induced to commit a bigamous marriage. When the avenger of his sister’s desertion appears on the scene again fifteen years later, and discloses the effect of his plot, his nephew makes the first of a series of great renunciations, refusing to shame his father and his wife and son, by claiming his rightful place, and himself tears up 3 documentary evidence of his rights. His uncle’s vengeance therefore fails. The younger brother is a scamp, who tries the patience and faithfulness of the elder in many ways, and so plots against him as to cause him to be blamed for the other’s misdeeds. It is to a great extent a man’s play, the men’s part alone would make a good play, but woman’s love is brought in to upset the scheme of the young villain and his dupes, and four ladies have good parts to play. At the close, of course, denunciation succeeds denunciation,, the evil doers are unmasked, and forgiven, and a!! ends happily- Some., excellent scenerv was shown, and a startling realistic effect was produced by the representation of the factory on fire. The orchestra will be under the direetion of Mr Charles Fox. The doors will be opened at 7.15, and the curtain will rise punctually at h o'clock.