The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1896-09-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. THEATRE METROPOLE.  "For the Honour of the House" is the euphonious title of a play which is this week proving a great draw at the Grange-road house. Produced here for the first time on Monday evening last, the piece was received with every indication of favour by a very large audience. The features of the production are undoubtedly the spectacular effects, the avalanche scene on the Alpine mountain being • marvellous example of stage craft, deriving additional realism by the introduction of two beautiful St. Bernard dogs, who dash away fearlessly in guest of the fallen hero of the story, finding him just in time to enable the searchers to rescue him from a fearful death. The scene is one of great beauty, the icy rugged peaks being seen in all their grandeur, and when the crash comes the snow falls in a wild and blinding torrent, and the rocks reverberate with a deafening roar. Apart, however, from the undoubtedly beautiful scenery, there is a strong plot nmn ng through the play, which, if it embraces little that is actually new, is calculated to excite the utmost interest, and the story throughout is told in a clear, concise form which the playgoer readily follows. Chief interest is centred in the doing of one Sebastian Ferrara, A picturesquely attired Spanish adventurer, whose nature is so depraved that he commits all kinds and conditions of crimes, including murder, with • cool nonchalance that is absolutely appalling. His last piece of villany before retributive justice overtakes him is to decoy the somewhat simple-minded hero into the wild passes of the Pyrenees to rob him of • large sum of money, which he is carrying into Spain to save the honour of the banking firm which he represents. Ultimately, however, all ends happily, the villain meeting death at the hands of • woman whom he has ruined, who however, meant the shot for the hero, in order that the miscreant might effect his escape. The piece throughout is splendidly interpreted by Messrs. Somerset and Courtenay's Company, Mr. Harry W. Hatcliman giving a strikingly picturesque and singularly powerful rendition of the villainous Spaniard, Sebastian Ferrara. lkfr. Edward Y. Rae created a most favourable impression as Herbert Trueman, and the necessary relief to the more sombre portions of the play was afforded by Henry Buss, who gave a highly humorous rendering of the part of Bob Billiter, • lively young spig equal to any emergency,including that of frustrating the efforts of two sharpers who had conspired to cheat and rob him at cards. Clever and diverting character studies also were those of Mr. Prince Miller and Mr. Frank Bills as respectively Old Simon and Mona. Lefayette, whilst the alleged sharpers, Count Cunningham and the Baron, were capitably and amusingly represented by respectively Messrs. J. Sweetenham and Byron Pedley. Mies Bowen Rowlands as Grace Hartele has a difficult part which requires delicate and skilful handling. Her acting, however, was marked by graceful ease, and where demanded with telling emphases and fervour. Miss Amy McNeill was a oharniing Mildred Hammond, and the many other parts were all adequately sustained.