THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3732, 2 July 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Messrs Stanfield' and Dark's "Merry Thoughts and Happy Moments Company " opened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night to a fairly wellfilled house. Tho entertainment was of a varied and attractive description, and consisted of comediottas, character impersonations, and songs, and a few remarkably clever quick changes. A comedietta entitled "The Happy Pair," in which the characters were sustained by Miami Mrs D'Arcy Stanfield, formed the openiug part of the programme. Both Miami Mrs Stanfield are artistes of more than average ability, and from start to finish they succeeded well in maintaining the interest of the audience in the little piece presented. Their dressing of tho respective parts wasin good taste, and the stage appointments, Sec, wero as complete as could bo desired. Tho second part of the programme, described as "The Excursion Train," was of a more general type, and introduced MiDark and Mr Stanfield in the characters of "Joe, tho Railway Porter," "Sarah Gamp," "Jeremiah Young, an old'un," "Johnny Lump, from Yorkshire," "Arabella Shy pet," "Tho Only Showman, and "Rags and Bonos," a dual impersonation. Amongst the best items in this part wore "The Only Showman," which created roars of laughter, and Jeremiah Young, with song, "I'm rather too old for it now," by Mr Stanfield. Mr Dark was also very successful as "The Guileless Orphan," while his female impersonations, "Sarah Gamp," and "Miss Shypet," were as clever both as regards dressing and business as any wo have hitherto witnessed in Napier. Tho songs, each and all, went well, and were loudly applauded. In Mr Staufield's quick changes in view of the audience tho best things were undoubtedly his imitations of "The Heavy Swell," a gentleman with more moustache and eye-glass than brains, and Henry Irving. His make-up iv the latter character was perfect. Mr Dark received quite an ovation for his musical sketch, "The Children's Tea Party," in which he introduced a cornet solo and a Tyrolean melody, tho latter being highly laughable. A sparkling little comedietta entitled "A Cup of Tea" brought the entertainment to a successful termination. To-night the programme will be substantially the same as that presented on Saturday, but after their day's rest the company may be expected to appear to somewhat better advantage in it. We hope to see a full house.