"STOLEN KISSES."

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2115, 3 December 1880, Page 3

"STOLEN KISSES."

In choosing this piece for their re-opening 1 in Ohristchurch, the Lingarda exercised no* ■ only excellent taste but good judgment. It is 1 smartly written, the situations, without in 1 any way being forced or melodramatic, are effective and good, and, above all, it possesses throughout strong interest for the audience, inasmuch as it is the reoital of the love tales of two fond young couples. Grossed they are for a time, as is the case too often in real life ; but, in the end, as, alas, but too surely does it happen, the clouds are dispersed and the sun of true love shines out brilliantly. So much for the piece itself, of which the highest praise that can be awarded is to say that it fully merits the encomiums passed upon it in other parts. It was, considering the difficulties in the way, admirably put on the stigo, one scene by Mr Gordon, of the Upper Thames, being almost good enough to frame. There is just one little want which the hall committee should see attended to, and that is the curtain, which is somewhat scanty. The piece of the evening was preceded by the well-known farce of " Little Toddlekins," in which the Misses Adello and Horan and Messrs Oraig, Overton and Campbell appeared. In the oomedy, Miss Lingard played the part of Jenny Temple very artistically, though, sooth to say, it is the second part of the piece so far as the ladies are ooncerned. There was a quiet, natural, easy grace about the way in which she played the part that entirely divested one of the idea that it was actisg, and the warm reception she had must have convinced her that she was not forgotten here. Miss Adello, who played Cherry, the part of the piece, did so with much success. She gave throughout a very intelligent pourtrayal of the character—by no means an easy one—and by her freedom from staginess made a very favorable impression indeed. Miss Horan was successful as Mrs Jenkins, a lady of considerable conversational powers. Mr Lingard, as Tom Spirit, quite surprised many of his old friends here by his admirable and pathetic acting of the part. He never lost sight of the key note of the character—intense love for his daughter and gratitude to his old master. The scene at the close of the second act was played by him with much force and pathos. Mr Craig, who is to be congratulated on the great progress made by him in his profession, played Felix capitally throughout, and Mr Overton, who played Walter Temple, deserves oredit for making so successful a debut in a very unthankful jpart. Mr J. B. Steele, who was warmly received, played the small'part of Lord Trangmar very well indeed. A capital orchestra, under Mr Juncker, added in no small degree to the enjoyment of the evening. The same bill will be played to-night.