THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1749, 27 September 1879, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

There was a good audience at the Theatre Royal last night, the performance, the final one of the present company, being for the benefit of Mr Wybert Reeve. Although the attendance during the last few weeks has been wretched, and little or no recognition shown of the great merit of Mr Reeve and tho company that have suppotted him, it was a source of gratification that so many should have assembled to bid him and them farewell. The scant patronage of a pure and healthy entertainment is much to be regretted, as it not only tends to lower the tone of the stage and destroy its usefulness but absolutely discourages theatrical managers from placing before the public performances worthy of support. Mr Reeve selected for his benefit the piece in which he opened “ All for Her,” and Boucioault’s romantic drama of “ The Corsican Brothers.” The plot of the piece was described on the occasion of its farmer representation, and last night Mr Reeve was as successful as before in his interpretation of Hugh Trevor. The character is one calculated to show to their fullest extent all the resources which experience, natural gifts, and study have placed at Mr Reeve’s disposal. He was complimented by a call at the end of each act, and again on the the termination of the play, when he was greeted by several bouquets being thrown on the stage. Miss Beatrice, Miss Lizzie Lawrence, and Messrs Joyce, D’Orsay Ogden, and Boothman rendered most efficient aid in making the piece go so successfully. The performance terminated with the “ Corsican Brothers,” in which Mr Reeve sustained the dual character of Louis and Fabian dei Franohi admirably. Mr D’Orsay Ogden played Chateau Renaud;very effectively, and the remainder of tho characters were done justice to by tho company. It will probably be a long while before Christchurch is again visited by so excellent and legitimate an actor as Mr Reeve, and it .is a great pity he cannot carry away with him a higher opinion of the taste of its art patrons.