THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1803, 1 December 1879, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The "Oolleen Bawn" on Saturday night at the Theatre Royal afforded Mr J. J. Wallace an opportunity of appearing in another new character. There have been better representations of Myles Na Ooppaleen in this city, and there have been worse, and Mr Wallace's performance of the character occupies a position between the two. Not so good as his Con, in the "Shaughraun," it is far preferable to his Irish Exile. Possibly while his Piper might have been an original creation, his Con a reflex of a more gifted actor—his Myles Na Coppaleen may similarly be modelled on the conception of an artiste whose speciality was—well, certainly not Irish comedy. At times, when Mr Wallace allowed himself to be natural, he was very successful, and obtained a great deal of applause from an audience by no means disposed to be over critical, but he would frequently, probably for that reason, plunge into the extravagance of melodrama, and at once destroy all the naturalness and simplicity which is the principal charm of the best Irish character Dion Boucicault ever drew. Probably from prudential reasons, Mr Wallace did not take the traditional " header" in the water cave scene, but jumped in feet foremost in the moat prosaio manner possible, and consequently the rescue of Hily, even when aided by the limelight, was a very tame affair indeed. The pit signified its disapprobation by withholding the tumultuous burst of applause which usually greets the situation. Mies Ada Lester was a charming Anne Chute, graceful and ladylike, and made a decided hit in the striking situation in the last scene. As far as acting went, the majority of the parts were not badly played, and there wob not more than the usual diversity of dialects spoken. Mr Joyce was a genial, hearty Father Tom, and Mr Boothmon gave a good rendering of Hardreis Oregan. Mr E. W. Rede took pains with Danny Mann, but he lacks intensity of passion, not necessarily demonstrative, but concentrated, to do anything like justice to the character. It is not fair to Mr Rede, who, as a comedian, is a very capable actor, to cast him for such a role as Danny, but it is all the more creditable to him that he succeeds as well as he does in parts so much out of his way. Mr Howard was a fair Oorrigan, and Mr Lenton a creditable Eyrie Daly. Miss Lizzie Dixon was as much out of her element as Eily O'Connor as Mr Rede was as Danny Mann, but though deficient in the artless innocence and tender pathos of the Colleen, she exhibited a thorough knowledge of the business of the stage, and established her claim to be regarded as an actress of merit. Miss Lizzie Lawrence was a satisfactory Mrs Cregan, and the remainder of the cast did no discredit to the principals. The piece was well put on the stage, the water cave scene being especially effective. "Queen's Evidence," a new sensational play, will be produced this even* ing. __«■____—__