Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1888-04-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

HARBOUR LIGHTS" AT STOCNTON.— 'The Theatre Royal at Stockton VIM crowded on Monday night, hundreds being unable to ootain admission. The special attraction provided by Mr Lloyd Clarence for the benefit of his Easter : patrons was the London success "Harbour ILights," to produce which a new combination had been engaged by Messrs Miller and Elliston, this being the first occasion on which the company had appeared together in public. The drama is in five acts, each of which is full of the vigour and an rnation which centres round the life of Jack ashore. Lieut. David Kingsley, of H.M.S. Britannic, early in the play woos and wins the hand of Dora Vane, the adopted daughter of Capt. Nelson. The fact that she has a fortune is unknown to Kingsley, but it comes to the knowledge of the squire of Radcliffe, Frank Morland, whose gambling proclivities have brought him to the verge of ruin, and who hopes to retrieve his fortune by winning the heiress. It turns out that he has already deceived and betrayed Line Nelsen 1, whom he has " kept" in London until it suited his purpose to' desert her. She, however, comes to Recicliffe Hall to demand the restoration of her honour, and at the time she visits him the squire is hatching a villainous plot to compromise Dora and decoy her into hut power. Just when ' the plot seems likely to prove successful Kingsley puts in an appearance and rescues his bride, while tee squire is shot by Mark I lelston, a ' farmer, who revenges himself thus for the loss of Linn, his jiance.e. At first it is rumoured that the squire has committed suicide, but his steward : and successor, Nichol as Morland , proclaims it a murder, and tries to fasten the crime on to Kingefey, securing the silence of 1 lelston by bribery. The good ship Britannic) is about to sail for the Egyptian campaign, and Nicholas comes on board, where he is recognised as a disgraced officer, and denounces K ingsley. The latter, however, before the vessel sails is appointed to the command of H.M.S. Hector, and is thus able to stay at home to defend his repute tion. The upshot is that after many mischances the mystery is cleared up by the evidence of Lino, who has from a closet witnessed the murder, and who demonstrates the innocence of tho gallant lieutenant and his lovely bride. The play is superbly mounted, all the scenery being of a specially high order, painted with skill, and possessing the most modern adaptations for rapid mechanical change. Kingsley is capitally impersonated by Mr Stanley Rogers, who wins plenty of honour for his apt illustration of the heroic part. The two Mon. lands are severally represented by Mr Lodge Harding and Mr Royston Keith, both of whom present the summit of calculating villein:, with fidelity. Captain Hardy is also well represented by Mr R. W. Quinton. The Mark Ileloton of Mr J. E. Murray is very good. Miss Lithe Young presents a very favourable portrait of the heroine, Dora Vane, and the tragic acting of Miss Laura Hansen as Gina Is worthy of applause. The lighter sketches which make up a subsidiary love story are filled in with sprightliness by Mr L. Coghlan as Tom Do.ssiter, Miss Millie Steele as Peggy, and Miss Honeysett as Mrs Chudleigh. There are several minor characters, which are fairly well supported. Next week a comic opera entitled "The Poach Bowl" will be placel on the stage.  i • •