THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2253, 18 May 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The selection of Tom Taylor’s beautiful play “ Olanoarty” as the initial performance of the new company last night wag a most judicious one. It enabled the strong points of the various principals to be brought out in bold relief, and further gave them an opportunity of which they availed themselves most fully of evincing how strong, dramatically speaking, the company is. The piece itself is not unfamiliar to Ohriatchurch playgoers, and is wonderfully well constructed. Apart from the strong historical interest it possesses there is also running through it the charm of romance in the story of two lives so strangely united, severed, and re-united under the very shadow of the scaffold. The part of Lady Olanoarty was pleasingly represented by Miss Marston-Leigh. At times there was a tendency—specially noticeable in the second act in the scene with Lord Olanoarty—to hurry the delivery of the dialogue, which marred somewhat the effect as a whole, but Miss Leigh gave us, with this exception, a most artistic and finished rendering of the character. She was at her best in the scone with Earl Spencer, where she defends her absent husband. This wag played with a

quiet yet forcible dignity, which wan artistic to a degree. The part of Lady Betty Noel, the witty, handsome, yet somewhat flighty lady of the court, found a most efficient representative in Miss Jenny Watt-Tannor. This lady, who will bo remembered hero during the Bignold season, at once established herself as a favorite. The part is but small in itself, but in Miss Tanner's hands it was made one of the most striking in the piece. She was vivacious without being too much so, and her acting was marked with much cose and gracefulness. Mies Addle had not much to do in the part of Susanne, except to faint on all possible occasions, and this eho managed moat artistically. Mrs Lachlan McGowan, another Christchurch favorite, played the part of Mother Hunt excellently indeed. The character of the chivalrous soldier (Earl Olancarty) could not have found a better representative than Mr Carden. Added to a good stage presence and good voice, Mr Carden possesses that most persuasive element for the part —a really excellent brogue. It is not obtrusive in any way, but as mellow as tho poteen of the Emerald Isle, and fits the part admirably. Mr Carden’s acting was really excellent. In the scenes with tho King and with Lady Olancarty ho showed most conclusively that he is an artiste of rare ability, and his performance throughout was one of the most enjoyable character. Mr Arthur Elliott, albeit somewhat heavy and prosy in tho part of Earl Spencer, yet gave a very careful rendition of the character, and Mr West’s Scum Goodman was so good as to make one wish to see more of him. Mr McGowan as the King was, as ho always is, thoroughly good. The character throughout was pisyed with care and ability, and showed what can be done with a part in tho hands of so sterling an actor as Mr McGowan. Mr J. O’Brien, whose improvement in his profession has been most marked, played Lord Woodstock well. His scones with Lady Betty and with Lady Olancarty were very carefully given, and showed great ability and stage aptitude. Mr Welch and Mr Sefton, as Lord Portland and / Sir Georgo Birclay, were both very good indeed. The principals received . several calls during the evening. The piece was placed upon the stage with every attention to detail, the accessories being accurate and handsome. It is with very much pleasure that we welcome the advent of the company here, as not only in the actual business of the stage and acting, but in the whole mise en scene there is displayed an amount of artistic taste which is to playgoers here quite refreshing. It now only remains for them to support the undertaking in the way it undoubtedly deserves. To-night “ Olancarty ” will be again repeated, and it is really well worth seeing.