THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11491, 26 January 1903, Page 8

THEATRE ROYAL.

With the return of the Anderson Dramatic Company melodrama reigns supreme at the Theatre Royal. On Saturday nig-bt the season was inaugurated with a piece— "Tho Night Birds of London" —which combines all the strongest elements of. melodramatic composition. The company is a much better' one in every way than that which visited us under the same management some little time back, and one looks forward to seeing them during the season in a piece which will give full scope for the display of their powers. "The Night Birds of London" affords plenty of opportunity for scenio and mechanical effects, of which full advantage is taken, especially in the scene in the third act depicting the outside of Covent Garden theatre. The explosion at the end of the piece ie also very well managed.

Miss Ida Gresham, as Morion Joyoe, the sorely tried heroine, played ths part with a good deal of pathos and power, especially In the scene outside the theatre where eho meets lier husband. Miss Helene Burdette played Stella. Oarrington, an adventuress in league with the viUains of the play. The part possesses all the requisites for a strong character like the one under notice, and Mies Burdette gave a forceful representation. The characters of a mad woman and a singing girl were well played by Mieees Thynne and Katie Towers. There were also two children's parts capitally done by the Musses Tattie and Gladys Hughes. Mr Harry Plimmer was the hero, who stiffens undeservedly through three acts and a half, and he gave a very good representation of the part. He was particularly good in the scene where lie takes of hie wife and child. In the part of the villain, Bobert Carlton, Mr H. W. Diver, who used in former times to play the» "jeirne premier" parts with considerable ability, was capitally cast. Judging from the aptitude he displayed, he has graduated with honours since he was last here, in the pourtrayal of stage villains. The scene of the murder of Colonel Joyce, which ie the keystone of the piece—Eric Joyce played, by Mr Plimmer, being falsely accused of the crime— was very strongly played by Mr Diver. Mr Hawthorne was the comio man. In Jerome K. Jerome's amusing eatire "Stageland," he points out that in whatever straits the stage hero may find himself, he nevw abandons his patent leather boots.' So with the character played by Mr Hawthorne, who even when reduced to selling hot potatoes in the street, does so in full evening dress and , a silk hat. Mr Duggan was, good as Sam Jacobs, and the remainder at the characters were well filled. As has been said, the piece was excellently put on the stage, and the audience was a most appreciative one.

"The Night Birds of London" will be repeated to-night.