THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1701, 2 August 1879, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

There I*raa an excellent house at the Theatre Royal last night, all parts of the house being -well attended. The performance, which was for the benefit of Mr Wybert Reeve, comprised Tom Taylor’s admirable comedy, “Still Waters Run Deep,” ana Charles Mathews’ petite comedy, “ Cool as a Cucumber.” In the first piece Mr Wybert Reeve sustained the character of Mildmay, in a manner which has never been surpassed in Christchurch. The great charm of Mr Reeves’ acting consists in its eminent naturalness ; his quiet repose never degenerates into tameness, and when the occasion demands declamatory force, his Judgment is so accurate that the most captious critic cannot accuse him of extravagance either in his action or elocution. The earliest scenes of John Mildmay were played with a quiet unobtrusive gentlemanly ease that satisfied the most exacting taste, and his subsequent interview with Captain Hawkesloy in the second act was distinguished by a manly dignity and earnestness that compelled the sympathy of the audience, and carried them with him. The same characteristics distinguished Mr Reeve’s performance in the last act; his two scones, first with Mrs Sternhold and afterwards with his wife, were in marked contrast to each other, but equally excellent. Altogether his performance last night was one of the most evenly-balanced artistic representations that have been witnessed here for a long time. Mr D’Orsay Ogden played Captain Hawkosley with great Judgment and effect, and gave excellent support to the star. Miss Beatrice satisfied all the requirements of Mrs Sternhold. She looked and acted well, and contributed greatly to the success of the piece. Miss Ada Lester gave a ladylike and pleasing represontion of Mrs Mildmay. Mr Harry Daniels was very funny as Potter, and the rest of the characters were fairly sustained. Between the pieces Miss Nelly Greenlees gave her characteristic “ Dance of all Nations,” so well as to earn and merit an encore. “ Cool as a Cucumber ” is well known as one of Mr Hoskins’ favorite farces, and in the character of Plumper M!r Wybert Reeve showed the qualities of a first-class light comedian, and was well supported by Messrs Fisher and Lenton, and the Misses Lizzie Lawrence and Nelly Greenlees. The company leave for .Dunedin this morning.