The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1888-09-25 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

ROYAL ALHAM33RA THEATRE.  "Mr Barnes, of New York," the latest sensational novel, has of course been dramatised, and the publie of Barrow have this week an opportunity of witnessing the original adaptation of Mr Guider's book. "Mr Barnes, of New York," is a very interesting and sensational story, and the <thief incidents have been retained in the play. As this is the first representation of the play in Barrow a short outline of the plot may he given. The story opens with the duel at Ajaccio, In which Antonio Paoli is killed by an English officer. Antonio's sister arrives in time only to witness his death, and in accerdanse with Coreicaa custom, swears a vow that she will avenge him. "Mr Barnes, tif New'York." is a chances spectator of the duel, and Antonio dies in hie arms. Then follows a long search for the English officer, supposed to be Edwin Anstruther. in her see ..b, Marina travels to Egypt, and acts as nurse. Here she meets with Anstruther lying wounded. She nurses him back to life and strength, and they fall in love. In the meantime, Mr Barnes meets Enid Anstruther in Paris, and after a short acquaintance they become engaged. In the course ot her travels Marina recognises Barnes at Nice, and she is introduced to Enid, the two girls becoming fast :friends. Marina prolongs her visit to Nice, in the meantime her servant Thomasso and her guardian Count Danella prosecuting the searehlor the murderer of Marina's brother, the Count's reward being the hand of Marina. Edwin Anstrutheria induced to visit Nice to see his sister, and again meets with Marina, and they become engaged. Count Danella has diseevered that this is the person whom they are in search of, but hidesthe fact from Marina, who renounces her vow for love for Edwin. The Count is greatly angered at the action of Marina, but finding her immovable in her pultiose, appears to agree with her decision, and proposes that she should be married at her old home in Ajaccio. This she assents to, and the whole party proceed thither, with the exception of Barnes, who has gone to London. Barnes sends warning to Enid to prevent her brothet's journey to Corsica, but the Count intercepts all communicatione. Arrived at Corsica, the wedding takes place. In the absence of Edwin the Count reveals to Marino that her husband is the murderer of her brother, and appeals to her honour and duty as a Corsican to slay him. At first she yields, and takes the dagger given her te commit the deed. While waiting, however, her love gets the mastery of her passion, and she refuses to commit the murder. Thomesso plucks the dagger from her, and placing hie hand on her throat, to prevent her warnplunges it into the body of his supposed victim. At that moment Barnes enters, and finds that the Count, and not Edwin, has been killed by T.homasso. It is afterwards explained that Edwin was not the officer who had fought in the duel, but that his pistols had been taken from his vessel by a fellow officer, this leading to the mistake, as they bore his name, and all ends happily. The east is a strong one, the leading chmacters being in the hands of accomplished artistes. Miss Ilertrude Norman is very successful in the trying representation of "Marina," the character enabling her to display her abilities to advantage. ID the various scenes Miss Norman gives an ideal representation, one full of life and vigour. and her performance is excellent. Miss Lillie Winter is all that can be desired as "Enid," and Mrs Sidney Lacey is a delightful "Lady Chartris." Miss Emily Eldred, as the vivacious "Maude." could not be equalled, and her spirited acting of the part is received with manifest approval. "Mr Barnes" is capitally represented by Mr Will Clement, whose matter-of-fact acting, air, and nonchalance distinguish him as a typical American. Mr Clement's performanae is very good. Mr Sidney Lacey gives an intelligent and powerful rendering of "Count Marietta," a part he has carefully studied, and with good results. Mr V. S. Ferrar takes the part of "Edwin Gerard Anstruther," and he deserves much praise for a faithful representation. The play is exceedingly well mounted and capitally performed, the whole of the artistes working well together. There was a large house last night, and the applause was loud and sustained when the curtain fell. "Mr Barnes, of New York," will be given each evening, with the exception of Friday, when "The Woman of the People " will be sithstitated.