THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1687, 17 July 1879, Page 4

THEATRE ROYAL.

improper to disclose them at present.

“ ENGAGED, ” What is termed in the bills a satirical comedy, bearing the title of “Engaged,” was produced for the first time last night at the Theatre Eoyal. The authorship of the piece is due to W. S. Gilbert, the clever author of the “ Palace of Truth ” and “ Pygmalion and Galatea.” Like the first-mentioned piece, “Engaged ” is a smart satire on society of the present day, the special object at which the author aims his satirical shafts being the selfish mercenary marriages of the ago. The dialogue is smartly written, and couched in a rein of the richest burlesque humour, sometimes bordering on tto extravafant, but always trenchant and witty, 'he situations are excellently contrived with a practised eye to dramatic effect, and told immensely with the audience. Indeed, the comedy is altogether so racy, and withal so quaintly original that an average audience could not fail to be amused and interested even if they could not perceive the undercurrent of satire running through it. All the fun is evolved by the amatory proclivities of a Mr Cheviot Hill (Mr Wybert Eeeve), who makes love and proposes to every woman he meets. Thus in Scotland, where he appears on the scene as a tourist, he falls in love with a Lowland lassie, Maggie Macfarlane, who, while professing love for her intended, Angus Macalister, easily transfers her affections to her new admirer, who compensates her intended husband for his bereavement by a douceur of “ twa punds.” It should be stated that there are two persons vitally interested in Mr Hill’s condition—one Belvawney (Mr D’Oreay Ogden), and the other Mr Symperson (Mr J. G. Joyce). By Cheviot Hill's father’s will Belvawney is to receive £IOOO per annum as long as Cheviot Hill remains single, the income reverting to Symperson in the event of his marrying or dying. Cheviot is engaged to Minnie Symperson at the time he entangles himself with Maggie. In this juncture Cheviot encounters Belinda Treherue at Gretna, where she has lied with Belvawney, both intent on matrimony, and hotly pursued by Major Mocgillicuddy, a disappointed suitor. The Major, armed with pistols, overtakes the fugitives, and, to save Belinda from his wrath, Cheviot declares that they are married, and eho endorses the statement, thus constituting a Scotch marriage. Thus, at the end of the first act, Cheviot is engaged to two women and irregularly married to a third. The _ remaining two acts are devoted to disentangling these complications, and the most ludicrous situations spring out of it. Each of the ladies is actuated by the most selfish motives, and give expression to their genuine sentiments with the greatest candour and sam / froid. Ultimately, after Cheviot having been apparently ruined by the failure of a bank, and been rehabilitated, has made up his mind to commit suicido and recanted, finds that he is really married to Belinda. Minnie pairs off with the equally indifferent Belvannoy, and Maggie, without tho slightest compunction, returns to her first love, Argus MacAliater. This is only a sketch of the plot, but it will serve to show out of what flimsy materials a clever dramatist can construct a most attractive play. Tho comedy was admirably acted. Mr Wybert Eeeve’s easy, fluent volubility, airy carriage, and romantic lovemaking were conceived in tho very essence of light comedy, and every fresh dilemma ho found himself in brought down shouts of laughter. As Belinda Troherno, Miss Beatrice had a part that suited her hotter than any I character she has appeared in, and her mock heroics and matter-of-fact way of dropping down to business when necessity do- ■, mneded, was felicitous in tho extreme. Mr Ogden was highly effective as Belvawney, and Mr Joyce made a prominent character of Symperson. Mias Bronton as Minnie, and Miss Nelly Greenlees as tho Scotch lassie, were equally good, and by their attractive appear- 1 anco went far to justify Cheviot Hill’s amatory longings. Tho comedy was preceded by the farce of “Turn Him Out,” capitally sup- E ported by Messrs. Daniela, Joyce, and Eede, “ Miss Lizzie Lawrence and Miss Nelly Green- p lees. The same bill will be repeated this evening.