GAIETY THEATRE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1730, 5 September 1879, Page 3

GAIETY THEATRE.

An unusually attractive bill was presented at the Gaiety Theatre last night, the performance consisting of “ Pygma lion and Galatea ” and the pop l:r burlesque of “Fra Diavolo.” Miss Rose Osborne’s poformance of Galatea, in Gilbert’s exquisite play, was full of poetic beauty. Her devotion to Pygmalion was exquisitely expressed, full of pathos and womanly tenderness, and in the lighter scenes with Chrysos and Daphne she developed a winning playfulness that was very captivating. Mr G. Chaplin was at his best us Pygmalion, his manly bearing and fine elocution exactly suited the part, and with Miss Osborne he shared the honors of the piece. Mr Bland Holt and Mrs L. McGowan, by their excel*

ent comic acting in the characters of Ohrysot and Daphne, contributed largely to tho enjoyment of the audience. Miss Lena Edwin and Miss Lily Marsh, as Oynisca and Myoene, played excellently, and the remaining characters were fairly sustained. The burlesque, mainly owing to the inimitable performance of Mr Bland Holt, was an uproarious success. “PraDiavolo” has often been performed in this city, but Christchurch has never witnessed such an unique and mirth-pro-voking performance as Mr Holt’s Beppo. Ho revels in the fun of the part, his irresistible humor as a burlesque comedian being equalled by his remarkable agility and cleverness as a pantomimist. The song he introduced in the part convulsed the audience with laughter, and was loudly encored. Miss Lena Edwin, as Pra Diavoli, made a dashing brigand chief, her acting being full of verve and piquancy, and Mies Lilly Marsh was a most captivating Zerlina. The remainder of tho characters were well sustained by tho company. This evening “East Lynne” will be produced, with Miss Rose Osborne as Lady Isabel, and Mr Chaplin as Sir Francis Levison. On Saturday night, which will bo the company’s last appearance in Christohurch, “ Othello” will precede the burlesque of “ Pra Diavolo,”