THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2197, 11 March 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

“THE LADY OF LYONS.’ 5 This play seems to keep its hold on the public affection with great persistency, and the hearty applause which greeted the wellknown passages last night prove, that, though old, it possesses sufficient durability to entitle it to be called a minor classic. The role of Claude Melnotte is not one that suits Herr Bandmann. This might easily have been anticipated. The unsophisticated and ambitious gardener’s son could hardly be played naturally by a gentleman who has made tho deeper characters of Shakespeare his peculiar study. A University professor might just as well be expected to play the part of a country bumpkin with eclat. The man of the world mill peep out through the outer covering of We have seen Claude Melnotte played admirably by amateurs, for it is ono of tho easiest imaginable parts to grasp ; but Horr Bandmann’e wide dramatic attainments were in reality against him, and wo would wager that he could have played the part better before he ever took to delineating characters which demand great force and the clearest insight into the human heart, Mies Beaudet war, as usual, charming. Her Pauline was a delightful embodiment of a somewhat paradoxical young female, whose love, first moved by the Prince’s money bags, develops with marvellous rapidity into a genuine article. Mr Oatheart’s Colonel Damas was very good, though a trifle stagey. Miss Crawford’s Madame Deeohappelles, and Miss Hathaway’s Widow Melnotte, were also good. Mr Hall was a moderate Beauseant; he erred, however, in the laudable direction of toning the rillain down too much. To-night “ Narciese” will bo given, and Herr Bandmann’s version of “ David Garrick.” The performance will be under the patronage and in the presence of Hia Excellency the Governor.