THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3670, 19 April 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE GHO3SIIOPPER. A croAvded house greeted the first production of "The Grasshopper" at the Theatre Royal last night, and, judging from the enthusiasm Avith Avhicli it was received by a section of tho audience, the performance may be said to have hit the popular taste. Considering the limited stage space at disposal the mounting of the piece Avas excellent, a very pretty and effective scene being introduced in the second act. The play itself, however, Avill in no respect bear comparison with that which preceded it. It is described on tho programme as being "adapted by Mr. J. P. Burnett from the French of M. M. Meilhac and Halcvy." Very much "adapted " avc should imagine. From beginning to finish it contains not one single probable—or even possible—situation, neither does it afford any scope whatever for legitimate acting. The " fun "it contains is, as a rule, of the fast and furious description, occasionally verging on the rollicking and sometimes rather insipid and commonplace. But avg forbear. To praise "The Grasshopper" as a Avhole Avould be to mislead our readers, a thing we in variably make it a point to avoid, no matter how unpleasant the task, while to criticise it in detail would be to administer justice Avithout mercy. It must be admitted, hoAvever, that many people laughed and applauded, so it may be supposed that the entertainment was enjoyed, by them. Miss Lee in the title vole was vivacious and sprightly enough to please the most fastidious, but one could not help feeling that it was a pity that the undoubted talent she possesses should be wasted on a character like that assumed by her last night. Mr Whyte's Donald was a capital piece of acting, and showed that gentleman's ability to interpret character parts. We were also pleased with Mr Leopold's low comedy acting in the part of Jingle in the third act; in the former act be Avas not so good. Portions of the dialogue and " business" might Avith advantage be " cut," so as to bring the time of representation down to reasonable limits. Last night it Avas close upon 11.30 before the curtain fell. " The Grasshopper " Avill be repeated to-night.