THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1390, 30 July 1878, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The favorite play of “ Leah the Forsaken ” was produced last night, with Miss Florence Colville in the title role. The success of the piece on this- occasion was only moderate, the cast in many respects being much weaker’ than Christchurch playgoers have been in the habit of witnessing. These circumstances probably had a depressing effect on the exponent of the leading character, for although the grand scene of the piece where Leah denounces Eudolph was rendered with all her accustomed energy and fire, still Miss Colville’s representation of the Jewish maiden was more unequal than on former occasions. Without instituting comparisons with bygone exponents of the character, it may be said that Mr Stark was completely out of his element as the apostate Nathan, and Mr Tom Burton gave but a crude and harsh rendering of Father Lorenz. Mr Graham would have been more successful had he been less demonstrative. No doubt the plaudits of the youthful critics in the pit are gratifying, but an actor of Mr Graham’s intelligence would do well to estimate them at their proper value. A tendency to ranting and over-acting is easily fostered, but when acquired is not so easily eradicated, and Mr Graham would do well to remember that repose and quiet earnestness are often more really effective than the noisiest ebullitions of passion. Messrs Hill and Hydes were respectively the Dr. Ludwig and Jacob, and relieved the play from much of its dreariness, though the latter actor appeared to be creating his part as he went on, both language and conception being equally original. Mr Jerraraes as Father Hermann was more successful than usual. Miss Tilly Andrews, as usual, played conscientiously as Anna, and Mrs Searle and Miss Herrick sustained Ih characters of Dame Gertrude and Mother Groschen with ability. Bijou Bessie played the part of the little Leah in last act prettily, and the remainder of the cast was fairly sustained. This evening “Pygmalion and Galatea” will be repeated, Mr Hill sustaining the character of Chrysos, through the indisposition of Mr Hoskins rendering a change in the cast necessary. On Wednesday Miss Florence Colville will take her benefit, having, in deference to general request, chosen her favorite part of Lady Teazle for the occasion. A bumper house will doubtless reward her efforts.