THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2359, 25 October 1881, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

There can be but one feeling aa regards the production of “Twelfth Night” by Mias Pomeroy and her company, and that la the double one of regret that we have not ere this had an opportunity of onioying ao great a treat, and also that it should be the occasion t of the leavetaking of a lady who, as an 1 artiste, has won such golden opinions amongst us. Yet, perhaps, it was fit that Miia Pomeroy should take leave of ua in a character, the memory of the rendition of which will live long with playgoers. Her Viola was simply charming in the extreme. The heroine whom Shakspearo drew with such a master band stood forth last night before us. The true test of art, we , are told, is the concealment of art, and, judged by this, Miss Pomeroy’s Viola is the top and crown of her many artistic pour- , trayals. Throughout the play the artist dis- , appeared, and in her stead stood the heroine of the piece. Her scenes with the Duke, where her love was half confessed, yet strongly repressed, were full of beauty and grace. Nor was the comedy ele ment, which forms so largo a portion of the character, omitted. The duel scene was most mirth provoking, yet not one whit exaggerated, and in the scenes with Olivia her scarce-concealed mirth, mingled with pity at the misplaced love of the lady, was admirably pourtrayod by Mias Pomeroy In fact, as a whole, the character was ren dered throughout with a power and entire realization of the part as most thoroughly to justify the praises which elsewhere Miss Pomeroy has earned for her performance. The audience, which was one of the largest and most enthusiastic which has assembled within the walls of the Theatre for many a long day, gave Miss Pomeroy a perfect ovation, and floral tributes were tendered her in great profusion. She was re-called at the end of each act in which she took part, and also at the end of the piece, “hen she took occasion to say a few words, which were uttered with difficulty, the enthusiasm of her reception by the large audience quite overpowering her. Miss Pomeroy thanked those present and the people of Christchurch generally for the many kindnesses received by her during her stay, which she assured them should never be effaced from her memory, and she assured them that until her return again amongst them she should ever think with the kindliest feelings of the City of Christchurch and its hospitable people. Mias Jessie Grey wes at her beet as Olivia, playing the part with much spirit and effect. In the scenes with the disguised Viola, where ho pleads the love of his master, and is, though unknowingly, pleading his own cause, Miss Grey was very good indeed. Miss Douglas appeared to far greater advantage in the part of Maria than any in which she has yet been seen during the season. She played it with a keen appreciation of the humor with which the part abounds, and ns a whole deserves very great credit indeed for her performance. Mr Holloway as Malvolio was excellent. His assumption of dignity after tho finding of the letter was most comical in its effect, and his rendering of the character throughout was one which will long live in the memories of Christchurch playgoers. It was a conception which d es credit to the artist, and was a fitting finish to what has been, so far as Mr Holloway is concerned, in common with the rest of the company, a series of artistic triumphs. Mr Hoskins, in the part of the Pool, had one of those parts in which he excels. The dry, sententious humor of the part was most admirably rendered, and Mr Hoskins was applauded to the echo. Mr Wallaces Sir Andrew was a capital performance. It was throughout well conceived, and consistently carried out, and Mr Wallace can fairly claim in this part to have made a hit. Mr Hamilton was most happily cast as Sir Toby Belch. Tho drunken scene especially was very well played by Mr Harail ton. As a rule drunken scenes on tho stage are very apt to be exaggerated, but Mr Hamilton, while preserving the points of the character, brought out only the more jovial port! ms of it. His scones with Sir Andre w were played with a breadth of comic humor which made it most enjoyable. Mr Fiemming had but little to do as Sebastian except to look like Miss Pomeroy, which he managed excellently, the imbroglio which takes place from the likeness being brought out most strongly, from tho resemblance which was noticeable oven by tho most unobservant of the audience. Mr Jewett, though somewhat stilted, was fairly good be tho Duke Orsini. Tho minor parts were fairly well played, and tho piece as a whole wont excellently—a quaint dance in the fifth act was wonderfully funny, and narrowly escaped an encore. The company leave to-day for Wellington, and playgoers will be glad to learn that Mies Pomeroy will return at Christmas, when several new pieces will bo produced. They will, no doubt, wish that the same success which has attended the company here will follow them during their lour in tho North Island.