THE GAIETY THEATRE.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1731, 6 September 1879, Page 3

THE GAIETY THEATRE.

“East Lynne” at the Gaiety Theatre last night failed to draw more than a very moderate attendance. The play, as represented by the present company, was to a very considerable extent divested of many of its ultra lugubrious elements ; indeed, some of the performers evidently seemed to consider they were taking part in a comedy, and acted their characters in accordance with that view. This, though not strictly in accordance with the author’s intentions, infused a spirit of cheerfulness into the audience, who appeared rather more relieved than disappointed at the novel treatment of the play. "Miss Bose Osborne as Lady Isabel and Madame Yine gave a forcible and vigorous, rather than a subtle, rendering of the dual role, and but for a tendency to occasionally over-act, in which she was kept in countenance by the other members of the company, with one exception, displayed a large amount of ability. This exaggeration militated against the pathos of the scene with the dying child in the fourth act, which would otherwise have been very effective. Sir Francis Levison was admirably represented hy Mr Chaplin, who is thoroughly conscientious in all he undertakes, and is therefore always acceptable. Miss Lily Marsh was a graceful Barbara Hare. Mrs McGowan played Miss Cornelia in the broadest farcical spirit, pardonable only on the ground that it dissipated much of the chronic gloom that pervades the piece. Had Messrs Burford and Lawrence changed parts, the result would have been more satisfactory. Mr Burford was an indifferent Biohard Hare, and Mr Lawrence a worse Archibald Carlisle. Wilson and Joyce were efficiently represented by Mis; Lena Edwin and Miss A. Marsh. This evening, the last appearance of the company in Christchurch, Shakspeare’s tragedy “Othello” and the burlesque of “Fra Diavolo ” will be performed. All who have not seen Mr Bland Holt os Beppo should avail themselves of the last opportunity they will have.