THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2301, 18 August 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Tha new aspirant for public favor, Mr W. H. Lsake, made his deiut last night at the Theatre in Bartley Campbell's play of “ My Partner." The piece resembles vary strongly in plot and construction some of the American plays we have had here before. The situations are dramatic, and the story is consistently and effectively worked out, and with the exception of the first act, which is somewhat unnecessarily talky, it plays close and concisely. Mr Leake certainly created a very favorable impression in the part of Joe Saunders. He has a fine voice, and possesses the rare merit of pourtraying deep emotion without exaggeration. His acting has in it an amount of quiet force which evinces careful study and ability of no mean order. This was especially noticeable in the scene at the close of the second act, where he discovers the death of his partner. This was very finely played, particularly as the situation was one in which a little exaggeration might have been pardoned. His scenes with Mary were also well conceived, and played with a deep pathos, all the more effectual from being repressed, and there was about hie rendition of the part as a whole an absence of rant and unnaturalness which made it quite a treat. So far os one can judge of Mr Leake from seeing him once he is a thoroughly natural actor, one who docs not sacrifice the conception of the part he i playing to any desire for applause, whilst lull bringing out in bold relief all the salient points of the character. Mr Leake may bo congratulated upon having achieved what cur American cousins would call quite a success in the part. Mr Theo. Hamilton as the Major had one of thoso parts in which lie is so good. The irrepressible orator ready on the slightest provocat ion to lake the slump and orate on the glories of the Groat Ecpubli-, was admirably poutlrayed. In all Mr Hamilton’s impersonations there is a vein of quiet humour which is irr.sistible. This was exemplified in his love ecens with Miss Posie, which was funny in the extreme. He shared with Mr Leaks the honors of the evening. Mias Lily May, as Mary Brandon, was somewhat hard and unsympathetic, but the part was played fairly well, and tho same may be said of Miss Arethuea May os Grace. Miss Bessie Vivian played the character cf Miss Posie excellently, and with a thorough appreciation of the author. Mr Wallace was tho villain of the piece, and satisfactorily discharged that very onerous rule, whilst Mr Kennedy scored a decided hit as tho Chinaman, which was a most realistic piece of acting throughout. Mr Mowty was overweighted as Ked Singleton, tho part being one which requires a laryo amount of pathos infused into it. Mr Jewett made a very creditable first appearance as Matthew Brandon, though here and there he was somewhat stiff and constrained. However, l-.e showed that he possesses teler.t cf no mean order. The rest of the characiets were ft-i.iy filled, and the piece was well put cn tho stage. It will be repeated this evening.