ANDREW MACK AT HIS MAJESTY'S.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2091, 28 May 1907, Page 2

ANDREW MACK AT HIS MAJESTY'S.

“TOM MOORE.”

A packed house greeted the opening performance of the Andrew Mack Co. last night, when “Tom Moore” was presented. The Company is a good one and well deserves the warm welcome it received at the hand of Gisborne theatre-goers. Alter a dearth of theatrical engagements lately, Gisborne has been visited by several companies, and the present one fully maintains the high standard attained. The piece was the usual love story with just sufficient scheming and plotting to render it exciting. The usual humorous by-play was in ovidence and was quite up to standard. The great feature of the entertainment was the singing of Mr. Andrew Mack. “Love’s Young Dream,” “The Last Rose of Summer,” and others came in at pathetic and critical moments and wero faultlessly rendered and most vividly expressed. The story opens with a scene in a little Irish village where Tom Moore meets Bessie Dyke, the heorine. In many little ways ho shows the poetry of his nature and his greatness of hoart. lie loves Bessie, who is in a reciprocating mood, but plans are upset by an untoward incident. Sir I’ericval Lovelace has designs upon Bessie and is entirely without scruples as to the method of attaining his end. Observing Bessie’s partialiay for Moore, he bribes Terence Farrell, a young Irishman, to appeal to the poet's feelings by a pitiful story and got him to propose marriage to his sister Winnie. After considerable persuasion, Moore does this and is caught by Bessie who will not believe that he was guiltless. Sir Percival thus triumphs temporarily and takes her and her father, a poetaster, to London, placing her on the stage, where she achieves conspicuous sue-

cess. Moore also comes to London—his habitation a garret and his landlady imperiously demanding the “rint.” Here a particularly telling and effective scene takes place. He overcomes her mercenary proclivities, for the time being, and bring tears to her eyes by a heart-touching rendering of “Love’s Young Dream.” Just as the waif is at the door, McDermott, the publisher, appears and offers to publish a poem of Moore’s lie had encountered in Mrs.Fitzherbert’s possession, if a suitable dedication could be arranged. Hope changes to despair at this intimation, but at the right moment, Lord Moira enters the attic and struck with the undoubted genius of the piece, offers to secure a dedication to the Prince of Wales. From this out, prosperity hone on the poet, but he met trouble again by fathering one of Dyke’s effusions, which was high treason and thus Royal favor was lost. In order to entrap Bessie, Sir Percival lends her eccentric father a large sum, which he disposes of in an unfortunate speculation, whereupon the noble friend threatens him with prison in an hour, if his daughter does not agree to marry him. An impassioned and lifelike scene occurs, in which Bessie is led from the room in tears. Previous to this, McDermott had offered Moore a considerable sum for a future outpouring of genius and after the last incident Moore accepts, pays Dyke’s debt and is again in a penurious state. The Prince has occasion to visit Moore, for ho liked him, in spite of his suppoed treason, and over hears a conversation, between Dyke and the poet, in which the truth comes out. All is made clear, Moore is restored to favor and is made poet laureate and marries Bessie. Sir Percival is given a political appointment at Bermuda. As Tom Moore. Mr., Andrew Mack had a part which gave him an opportunity of expressing his talents, and he made the best use of his chance. His vocal contributions will long be remembered in Gisborne as a musical treat seldom experienced. Mr, Kendal Weston had a fairly easy part to play as the Prince of Wales, and b did it ample justice. To Mr. Martin Alsop, was allotted the difficult part of Sir Percival Lovelace, the villain of the piece and he earned his meed of praise from the hearty disapproval of the audience, for his callous behaviour. Mr. Thomas Jackson acted very realistically in the part of Robin Dyke, the would-be poet and father of Bessie, and Mr. W. Townsend was a success as Lord Moira Miss Jane Kelton gave a splendid interpretation of Bessie Dyke, and as Winnie Fan-roll, Miss Geraldine Benson gave a good representation. Mr. Charles Aveling (Beau Brummel), Mr. Fred. Mouley (Sheridan, the famous wit), Mr. James Howard (Terence Farrell), Mr. Fred. Cambourne (Buster, Moore’s servant); and Mr. J. McCormick (McDermott), performed their allotted parts with credit.