Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 21 February 1887, page 8


AMUSEMENTS.

-A,

ROYAL STANDARD THEATRE.

The Standard Theatre was well filled on Saturday evening

with an enthusiastic audience, that thoroughly appreciated |

Mr. Alfred Dampier's new drama in five acts, " An Eng- i lish Lass." The last play at this theatre is of the police

van order, and as theatrical audiences have of recent years been subject to periodical attacks of dramatic gaol fever, the production of "An English Lass" at this theatre should prove as successful as its popular predecessor, "the Term of His Natural Life," which had a run of six weeks. The particular cause celebre which the author has unearthed is that of Margaret Catchpole, a bygone notoriety who, according to the Newgate calendar, was very properly punished by transportation for life, but who in the colonies redeemed the past. Mr. Dampier, however, actuated by a laudable desire for stage effect rather than strict fidelity to fact, has etherialiefd his heroine into a sinned against and suffering woman, and her first offence against the law into a deed of supreme self-abnegation The first two acts of the new fable take place at Nagton, Suffolk, England. Margaret Catchpole, the motherless daughter of a homely old-world farmer, is betrothed and deeply attached to a smuggler, Captain Will Land. When the scene opens she is just gently dismissing a true admirer of her's, John Barry, who, failing to win nor, means to seek fortune in a

new world. Will Land then arrives on the scene with bete

noir John Luff. Land is gladly welcomed by Margaret, and at last, touched by (true love and tender counsels, he promises to give up his evil courses and settle down to a peaceful married life with her in their native village. John Luff is dismayed at this, because Land's pluck and audacity are absolutely essential to the success of their hazardous enterprises, and he weaves a plot which shall " enmesh them all." By means of a letter purporting to come from Land, he persuades Margaret that her lover is ill and in danger in London, and that his dying wish is to see her. Margaret has no money to pay for the mail to the metropolis. Luff pretends that he is also penni-less, and induces her to borrow a horse from a neighbouring squire and ride the distance. Margaret does so, but before she reaches her destination is arrested for horse-stealing. The next act takes place at Ipswich Gaol, where Margaret, having been tried for her crime, so innocently committed, is lying under sentence of death. After a pathetic interview with her sorrow-stricken father, Land, who has discovered Luff's treachery, manages by bribery, to obtain admission to the prison, and with the assistance of Bob the Boson and some friendly warders, effects her escape. They are hotly pursued, and take refuge in the ruined castle of Walton, a place of refuge known only to the smugglers. But John Luff, who has recovered from the wounds inflicted on him by Land, leads the authorities to the hiding-place, which he is as familiar with as Land. A desperate struggle ensued, and, in his efforts to protect Margaret, Land is shot dead. The next two acts take place in Australia, and we learn from the characters that during the lapse of time Margaret has been again tried and condemned to death, but that the sentence has been commuted to transportation for life. The station near Sydney, where the scene opens, belongs to John Barry, Margaret's old lover, who has prospered exceedingly in the new country; and it is also made known that the villain John Luff, who caused all Margaret's troubles, is now a very notorious bushranger.

Barry has applied to a friend (Mrs. Palmer) for a

convict servant, and this servant arrives soon after the opening of the scene, and turns out to be Margaret. John Barry has never loved woman save Margaret, and her passion for Will Land has died a natural death. Margaret has displayed great heroism in s pi ovious situation on the Hawkesbury, and Barry, after making her promise to marry him, departs for Sydney, where he has great influence, to obtain for her a free pardon. As soon as he had done. ted the house is attacked by bushrangers, headed by Luff, but, chiefly through her pluck and heroism, they are beaten off. Luff, however, aided by a cunning aboriginal, entices the male protectors away from the station, and catches Margaret alone. He is about to murder her when he is shot down by Bob the Boson. John Barry arrives a moment afterwards, and with a free pardon for Margaret, the ourtain descends upon a picture of future domestic happiness and peace. The acting all round was excellent and Mr. Dampier's adaptation of Margaret Catchpole career to stage purposes is exceedingly well suited to the dramatic resources of the Standard company. Miss Lilly Dampier's creation of the heroine is the best thing we have as yet seen this young artiste produce, She was pathetic and forcible, and at the same time natural and unsteady. Miss Katherine Russell appeared to amuse the audience as Cherry Cracknell and Miss Julia Merton was quite efficient as Mrs. Palmer. Mr. Alfred Dampier as Bob the Boson had one of those half humorous, half pathetic characters which he plays so well. Mr. Alfred Boothman as Will Land, Mr. Baker as John Luff, Mr. Leston as Joe Gubbins, Mr. Stark as an aboriginal, and the company generally thoroughly deserved the applause which was most generously bestowed upon their efforts by the audience. The drama passed off without a hitch, and the scenery was of the most artistic description. No better picture of rural England has been seen upon the colonial stage than the one which is used in the art and second acts of " An English Lass." " The Ruins of Walton Castle" is a beautiful set, and the Australian scenes are in their way equally good. Both Mr. Dampier and the scenic artist who adopts the nom de Jantasie Alta are to be warmly congratulated for the really beautiful stage pictures which illustrate " An. English Lass."