THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2336, 28 September 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

No happier selection than Shakspere’s beautiful and idyllic, though little known, play of “Cymbeline” could have been made to introduce Miss Pomeroy and her talented company to Christchurch playgoers. The character of Imogen affords wide scope for the display of that which ia true art, inasmuch as it conceals art. Not only so, but it taxes to the uttermost the powers of versatility of an actress, because in the course of its representation the whole gamut of human passion is gone through. Therefore it ia that we regard the character of Imogen as a sure teat of the artistic power of the performer. Judged by this standard Miss Pomeroy is entitled to take high rank, and certainly her debut amongst us last night may be regarded as completely successful. Gifted by nature with a fine, commanding presence, and that which is most excellent in woman, a sweet and melodious voice. Miss Pomeroy adds yet another charm —viz., the power to delineate by a word, a gesture, or a movement, the more subtle points of the character she may be ponrtraying. This was strikingly exemplified last night in the scene where she repulses lachimo, and yet while doing so, with but a single gcatnre expresses her repentance and self-accusa-tion at having listened even for a moment to the asperser of her lord’s faith. This was grandly worked out by Miss Pomeroy, without the least straining after effect, bat with a naturalness which rendered it more marked than any amount of noise or tragedy airs could possibly have done. In the third act, too, where Imogen bids Piaanio kill her, in obedience to her husband’s mandate, Miss Pomeroy brought out in strong relief the utter despair which fills her heart at the suspicion implied. The very abandonment of herself to the stroke was so artistically conceived as to convey at once to the audience the impression that all that attached her to life was gone, and that death would be welcome sooner than the feeling that she was despised. Throughout this and the succeeding act, which latter is in itself a poetic idyll, Miss Pomeroy was excellent. The dress of the page was so managed as to evince Imogen’s dread at being aeon in male attire, though here, as in the other parts of the play, through Miss Pomeroy’s really exquisite by-play, it was more left to the imagination of the audience than obtruded. The concluding scene, where she ia once more reunited to her husband, was excellently played, and as a whole Mias Pomeroy’s impersonation of the most difficult and arduous part is one which, as an artistic effort, or more properly speaking a dramatic picture, ia entitled to ttke high rank. She was called before the curtain several times, and the loud and frequent plaudits accorded to her showed how thoroughly the audience appreciated the ponrtrayal. Miss Kate Arden made a favorable impression as the Queen, and Miss Jenyns did what little Helen has to do well. Mr Holloway’s Leonatna though at times somewhat boisterous and strident, was a careful rand student like performance. He looked the character to perfection, and though perhaps for these days of msthcticiam ho was at times wanting in repose, he yet gave us a manly and very excellent rendering of the part. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Mr Flemming for his performance of the difficult role of lachimo. It was played throughout with a finish that entitled Mr Fleming worthily to share the honors of the evening with the star. Mr Hamilton, and Mr Neil O’Brien as Enderius and Averagns were capital, especially in the monody over the body of Imogen when they suppose her dead. To say that Mr Hoskins as Belarins received a warm welcome is to but faintly express what took place, as for several minutes ho was unable to proceed for the plaudits. Equally unnecessary is it to say that he rendered the part in a most scholarly manner. Mr Eeda deserves praise for his Piaanio, which was excellently played, and the other characters were well filled. The dresses and scenery were really capital, and the former had the merit of being correct to tho smallest detail. To-night the piece will be repeated.