THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1739, 16 September 1879, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

There was an improved attendance at the Theatre Boyal last night, due to the production of Taylor and Dubourg’s admirable modern comedy “ New Men and Old Acres.’ When adequately cast it Can scarcely fail of success, and the management may ho congratulated on the really excellent manner in which it was performed by the present company. The plot, from previous representations of the comedy, is '.tolerably familiar to Christchurch playgoers. As a representative piece, it is one of the most popular on the stage, not only from the elegance end wit of the dialogue, but also from the interesting nature of the plot, and the skilful manner in which it is worked out. The character of Samuel Brown, the Liverpool merchant, honest, manly and independent, was splendidly sustained by Mr Wytert Beeve, the love scenes with Lilian Vavasour, being replete with true feeling and tenderness. Lilian, the companion character, was charmingly pourtrayod by Miss Ada Lester, who developed all the bright characteristics of the loving, high spirited, and true hearted girl with admirable effect. Next in point of merit, was the parvenue Bunter, the self-made man of “ ways and means and Christian principles, which in the hands of Mr J. Q-. Joyce, was a masterpiece of vulgar arrogance, self-sufficiency, and snobbery. It was true to life, and again, as in the case of the leading characters, he had an excellent foil in the Mrs Bunter of Mrs Fitz william. The character could scarcely be better represented. Mrs Fitzwilliam’s mellow voice and pronounced vulgarity provoked irresistible laughter, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Mr D’Orsay Ogden played Birthold Blasenbalg with a capital dialect, and a keen appreciation of the humor of the part. Mias Beatrice was maternally dignified as Lady Vavasour, at the same time infusing sufficient geniality into the character that somewhat redeemed from its timeserving selfishness. Mr Lance Seaton and Miss Lizzie Lawrence sustained the roles of Bertie Fitzurse and Fanny Bunter with an esprit that gave them zest, and contributed to the excellence of the general cast. Mr Boothman was sufficiently patrician to satisfy the requirements of Marmaduke Vavasour, and Mr Fisher made the moat that could be made of the character of the lawyer, Mr Seeker. The piece was put on tho stage with a due measure of completeness, the Betting of the scene of the ruins in the second act being a real work of art. The comedy will be repeated this evening.