THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1655, 10 June 1879, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

"TBANSPOBTED TOR XIFE." Mr George Darrell's colonial drama—- " Transported for Life," which since its last representation in Christchurch threo years ago, has had a continuous career of popularity in the leading theatres of Australii, was revived last night, and was as r-uccessful as before in pleasing the large audience who assembled to witness it. In point of literary merit it is on a par with " Back from tho Grave," but to a colonial audior,c9 tho local interest is more absorbing, and the situations are, if anything, more dramatic, and follow each other more rapidly than in " Back from the Grave." 'The play was a Imirably cast, and two or three of the characters were exceptionally well played. Of courso tho main intorest of the pieco is centred in the persecuted hero - Hubert Chandc?, wrongfully accused of a crime which he is innocent of, but for which he is transported for life. This character was played bv Mr Darrell with considerable power and effect, though it is by no means the best in the piece. Still, Mr Darrell invested it with such a Btrong interest as could not fail to enlist tho sympathies of tne audionce, and evoke their hearty plaudits. Mrs Darrell as Edith Vaughan exhibited all the resource!" of the art of which she is so perfect a mistrci-s. Her grand elocution, combined with occasional bursts of passion, and passages of exquisite tenderness and pathos, contributed largely to tho succefs of the piece, and both her and Mr Darrell were more than once honored with calls on the termination of the principal acts. Mr Sterling Whyte gave a masterly rendering of the cowardly, scheming, old plotter, who secures his safety by betraying his fellow-conspirator, the master villain of the piece. In Buch characters as William Saames Mr Whyte has never been surpassed in Christchurch, and they entitle him to tako high rank R 3 an actor of character parts. Broken down by intemperance, the senility both of mind and body were most artistically depicted, and Mr Whyte's efforts met with prompt recognition from tho audience. Mr H. H. Vincent was also thoroughly successful as Gerald Fitzroy, his assumption of a swell new chum being highly humorous and graphic. Mr Sweeney played Tim O'Meaghor, a rowdy drunken Irish digger, in s very graphic and truthful manner, ai d Mr H. Power was very humorous as Tom Birdseyo. Mr Clinton is also entitled to praise for a very forcible rendering of James Tyrrell, the villain of the play. Tho character of Nelly Vaughan was charmingly played by M 133 Solange Novaro, her scenes with Mr Vincent being verr piquante and captivating. The play Wa§ remarkably well mounted, tho new scenery being appropriate and striking. Tho scene of the diggings by moonlight conveyed an exact idea of an Anstralian mining encampment and tho " 'tween decks "of an Australian liner, showing at tho same time the upper deck, was a real representation of what it professed to be, which is not often the case in nautical scenes on the stage. Tho principal sensation of the piece—the open sea—with the rescue of Chandos and Edith Vaughan by the ocean mail packet, was a clever piece of stage mechanism, and brought down thunders of applause, at the Baine time securing tha success of the pieco. From the favor with which " Transported for 'Life " was received last night, it should draw crowded houses tor the rest of the week. The performances concluded with Mr Barry O'Neil's "Lightning Changes," tho songs being as well received as on Saturday night. The same programme will bo repeated until i'urther notice