THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1785, 10 November 1879, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Premier Comedy and Burlesque Company re-oppned the _ Theatre Royal on Saturday night. With one or two additions, the company is the same that supported Mr Wybert Reeve during his two seasons in Christchurch. Miss Ada Lester is still the leading lady, and had a warm reception on herre-appearance upon the stage. The opening piece was H. T. Craven’s pretty comedy entitled “Meg’s Diversion,’’ originally written for the popular English actress Miss Martha Oliver, when lessee of the Royalty Theatre in London. The plot of the piece is not new, as the comedy has been previously played in Christchurch. The character of Margaret exactly suits the essentially feminine style of Miss Lester. Charming, winning, and lovable, as are all the creations of this most pleasant actress, she has in no character that has been given to her in Christchurch appeared to greater advantage than as the heroine of Craven’s comedy. Mr J. G. Joyce gave a capital portrayal of the staunch, good-hearted Devonshire farmer, Jeremy Crow, and the two brothers Jasper and Roland Pigeon, the one a polished but withal genuine, and the other a rough diamond, were very well impersonated by Messrs A. Boothman and Rede. Mr Lance Lenton played the character part of Ashley Merton effectively, and the same may be said of Mr Fisher as Lawyer Eytem. Miss Lizzie played very nicely as the other sister Cornelia, and Miss Emma Bronton was an excellent representative of a very charming widow. The performance'terminated with a burlesque entitled “ Captain Pop and the Princess Pretty Eyes j or, Brown and the Brahmins,” This was the first appearance of the company in burlesque, and to speak truth, they achieved a greater success than was prognosticated for them. The acting and singing were each good in their wajr, and the trifle wont off with amazing spirit. Miss Ruth Grey (first appearance) war eminently successful as the Princess Pretty Eyes, and Miss L. Dixon as Captain Pop, Miss Lizzie Lawrence as Major

Haw Haw and Miss Bronton as Fatima were in the superlative degree piquante and captivating. Mr J. G. Joyce was a tremendous burlesque monarch, yclept Tomidod, and Mr Fisher was intensely funny, it a trifle coarse, as Brown. Mr Benton as Eeemo Kimo and Mr Bede as Gallipotz were both very successful, and the rest of the parts were well played. Mr Williams painted five new scenes, which were greatly admired: —The palace of King Tomidod, sea shore in Burmah, Burmese Cemetery with Idols, the Palace Gardens, and the Home of Cupid and bridal presentations. The performance was altogether successful. It will be repeated this evening.