ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2424, 12 February 1909, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“THE SQUATTER’S DAUGHTER,” That melodrama is ‘welcome with *a Gisborne audience was evidenced last evening, when Mr. William Anderson’s Dramatic Company produced “The Squatter’s Daughter” at His Majesty’s Theatre, for ' tho building was crowded to excess, and hundreds •of people were turned away long liefore eight o’clock. The play is one of tho good old melodrama type, but it is superior to the usual production that' passes under that name. Its atmosphere and language are essentially Australian, and the introduction, for comedy purposes, of a number oi blackfellows and lubras gives a true bush appearance to tho scenes. The plot of “The Squatter’s Daughter” is •veil drawn, and while the incidents are hardly probable,'they are possible, and a great many things may exceed the probable in plot building. There are plenty of exciting scenes, sidesplitting farce, heroic situations, grand tableaux. Villainy is, as usual in melodrama, outwitted, and uonesty and virtue triumph in the end. As Violet Enderby, the squatter s daughter, Miss Florence Richter made her first bow to a Gisborne audience, and showed she is possessed of considerable dramatic power, iiiss Richter has & clear-speaking voice, and could be beard distinctly at all times. In her exciting scenes she was convincing, and always kept the sympathies of the audience. Mr. Herbert Linden was Tom Bathurst, the hero, who is always on hand at the critical moment to thwart villainy and rescue his friends when in danger. Mr. Linden has a fine stage -appearance, and showed that he possesses no small share of dramatic ability. His love scenes were extremely well done, and the audience applauded him heartily whenever he came on the stage. The role of the villain, Dudley Harrington; was in the capable hands of Mr. J. L. Laurence, who succeeded, as all stage villains should, in earning the disapprobation of the audience for Ins attempts to wrong those who would befriend him. Mr. Stirling Mbyte was also successful as James Harrington, owner of AY a ratal) station. Muss Hilda Fraser presented a fine character study of Sarah Lynch, and her acting in the scene showing . “The Shearers’ Rest,” a bush hotel, was verv clever. ~ The other characters well presented were: Archie McPherson (a “Hielandman”), Mr. Frank Crossley; Nick Harvey (an ex-con-vict), Mr. Harry Douglas; Nulla Nulla (an aboriginal), Mr Frank Reis; and Billv (bis father), Mr. 0. Rdgwortb. 'Miss Emmie South was a dainty -Jenny Thornton, and Miss Lillie Bryer, a humorous Violet Sprig'rins, an old maid. The minor characters were also creditably represented. The plav was well mounted, the scenes showing the shearing shed on the station and Waterfall Gully being especially worthy of praise. To-night the drama of life m the great metropolis, entitled “When Loudon Sleeps,” will be presented. This lias been one of Mr. Anderson s most successful dramas. It contains many exciting incidents, and among the sensations is the great fire scene, in which the heroine escapes by walking the telephone wire with a child clinging to her shoulders. Hie management wish it to be stated that holders of last night’s tickets who were unable to gain admission will he admitted any night during the season on presentation of tickets. • The management has decided to extend the season in Gisborne until Tuesday night next, and will produce “The Face at tho Window.” “The Village Blacksmith.” and other highclass melodramas-