THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3669, 18 April 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

"jo."

The second representation of "Jo" at the Theatre Royal last, night attracted a croAvded house." The performance as a Avhole Avas an improvement ovor that of the previous evening, the usual little hitches and errors of detail inseparable from a first appearance on a strange stage being all overcome. There Avas also a little more "go " apparent in the acting of the subordinate parts, and the stage effects Averenmch more perfect than on the former occasion. HaA-ing already noticed Aliss Lee's performance as Jo it will not be necessary to refer further to her at present than to say she Avas as successful as ewer. Aery foAv of the remaining artists in tbe cast have parts allotted to them that call for any special mention, but aa-c must not omit a few observations on those aa-lio haA-e. The LadyDeadlock of Aliss Feinvick lacks animation, Avhile the a-oioe of tho actress is rather monotonous : otherwise the performance is capable and ladylike. Aliss ArroAvsmith as Hortense slioaa-.s considerable dramatic. poAver, but avc cannot compliment her ou her French pronunciation of English. AVith this defect remedied, hoAvever, her portrayal of the part Avould be above the average. Aliss Blanche Leopold as Glister does what little falls to her lot in a style that is highly creditable ; her make up is also very g*ood. The same remark will apply to Miss Fischer, aa-lio makes a A-ery pleasing Esther. Of the gentlemen Air Sterling AVhyte is entitled to first mention for his careful and natural acting in the character of Sir Leicester Deadlock, a part of which he makes the most Avithout, in any Avay overdoing it. Air Stanfield's Snagsby is .veil conceived and efficiently carried out, liis l>A--play and "business" beinsr excellent. Twlk'iug-h.rn, iii the hands of Mr K. A. A T ernon" is rather a Aveak performance, and is susceptible of a good deal of improvement. AYe might also point out to Air AVarner that the part of Guppy is one that is very easily spoiled. None of the other characters as produced are of sufficient importance to Avarrant a scperate reference if avc except that of Bucket, the detective, Avhieh is capably filled by Air Burnett.

" THE Gr.ASSKOI'I'EK."

To-night ''"The Grasshopper 1 ' will be produced. This piece is adapted from the French of Moilhao and Halevy by Air J. P. Burnett, and the folloAving is a brief outline of the plot, kc : —"A girl, knoAvn as the Grasshopper, has been stolen by gypsies in her infancy, and A\-hcn grOAvn up is found in company .villi a circus troupe, of AA-hich she is Auie of the members. To escape from the importunities of some members of the company she runs aAvay, aud at a Highland inn at Glen Snceslien, Avhere the scene of the first act is laid, she arrives in a half-starving condition, helps herself to a substantial luncheon provided for a guest at the inn, and is rescued by that guest, a young artist named Flippet, from the clutches of the circus people, avlio have followed and tracked her. Flippet is travelling- in company Avith a companion named Stipple, an artist also. Both are in love AA-ith a girl named Mabel St. John, but she prefers Stipple, the poorer of the tAvo. Meanwhile the Grasshopper has been identified as the child of a noble family by a confidential servant named Fogg, aa-lio is travelling for the purpose of seeking' the lost heiress. She is thus enabled to acquit herself of her obligations to Flippet, and the act terminates with a general rejoicing, of AA-hich the late Grasshopper is the central figure. In the second act avc find her again as Lady Enestinc TopsaAVyer (her true name a.nd title) under the tutelage of her aunt, Lady Buckram, avlio, though very fond of her niece, is terribly shocked at her tricks aud manners, which savor so much of her former life at the circus. The aunt desires a marriage bctAA-een her niece and the Hon. Sydney Alorass, nephcAV of Earl Bogland, but he is another admirer of the fair-haired Mabel, and is disinclined to accept the bride offered to him. AleaiiAA-hilc Flippet, Stipple, and Miibel arrive on the scene during a boating excursion. Flippet 1 s jealousy is aroused, and he and Stipple, during the i*oa\that ensues, are precipitated into the river, from AA-hich they are rescued with the assistance of tho Grasshopper (Lady Ernestine). Alabel is rescued by Jingle, the circus jn-oprictor, who is out boating Avith his companions, and the whole party arc more or less mixed up at the A-illa of Lady Buckram, much to her disgust, Flippot, after many incidents, is about to leave Avith Alabel, Avhen the Grosshopper Avho has loved him from tho first, stung by his ingratitude, breaks his bead by striking him Avith with the first object that comes to hand. The cards have predicted to her that he Avill marry a lady of title, Avho _ ill [ perform this Christian act on him, and she j believes in the cards. In the third act I Flippet, cured of his infatuation for Alabel, lis discovered in his studio, regretting- the loss of tho Grasshopper. She awives in his studio disguised, to avoid marriage with the Hon. Sydney Morass, and is folloAved latitat gentleman, in company with his uncle and her aunt, Lady Buckram, who is fiually pacified and reconciled to the union of the lovers by the intelligence that Flippet has succeeded to a title and a fortune. Of course all ends happily for the rest of the characters,