THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1366, 2 July 1878, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

A now dramatic version of Wilkie Collins’ novel —“The New Magdalen”—was produced at the Theatre last night, for the benefit of Miss Tilly Andrews. The largest house of the season testified to the popularity of the beneficiare, who since her connection with the Christchurch* stage has won golden opinions from all classes of the community. As a whole the performance was a decided success, although the cast in one or two instances might have been a little stronger. Miss Andrews was very successful in the character of Mercy Merrick, the emotional phases of the part affording her scope for the display of very effective acting. This young actress has made remarkable progress in her profession since she first appeared before a Christchurch audience, and the two enthusiastic calls which rewarded her efforts last night plainly shewed for her popularity, Mrs C. F. Searlo’s perr formance of Lady Janet Roy was one of the most natural pieces of acting we have witnessed for some time. Easy and unexoggerated, humourous, or pathetic, as the situation demanded, Mrs Searle placed herself en rapport with the audience, who were not slow to acknowledge her efforts, and honored her with a call at the end of the piece. Mr J. Graham was in every respect thoroughly at homo as Julian Gray, and by his easy gentlemanly bearing and elocutionary skill, contributed largely to the success of the piece. Miss Mario Wilton played the thankless part of Grace Roseberry in a manner that induces the belief that, with more experience, she will be an acquisition to the ranks of juvenile ladies. Mr Jerrames did his beat with the part of the war correspondent, Horace Holmcroft, but he was overweighted, and consequently did not render much service in contributing to the general effect of the drama. The subsidiary characters in the prologue were fairly impersonated, but are of too trivial a character to call for special notice. The performance terminated with the panoramic scenes from Lalla Rookh. This evening the same bill will be re peat ed.