THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2450, 11 February 1882, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

“ KEEEY.” Had Mr Williamson only played “Kerry” here without appearing in any other character, his reputation as an actor of high merit wonld have been assured. For a piece of such small compass there is scarcely one that can compare with “Kerry” for pathos and interest. It is brimful of incident and powerful delineation cf character, although the action is compressed into one act. What, for instance, can be a finer character than that of Kerry, the faithful old servitor grown grey in the family, looked up to and trusted, and at the same time apt, at many old servants are prone to do. to take a great deal upon himself. The p'ay is truly a domestic idyll, interesting from the fact that it appeals to the better feelings of the audience, and that it te’ls a life story simply and pathetically. To say that Mr Williams-n’s interpretation of Kerry, the faithful servant of the family, was a grand piece of character acting, is hut doing him bare justice. It was certainly, both in moke up and acting, cno of the most perfect and complete performances we have over had hare. Mr Williamson sncce;dod most thoroughly in sinking his identity, and in his place there stood the ancient servitor, whose only thought was to serve the family in which ha had spent the best years of his life. His acting in the scene where he recognises the master he had so long mourned as dead, was a masterpiece, and received as it deserved a perfect ovation at the hands of the audience. Miss Navaro played the wife with a quiet force which made it very successful, and Miss Maggie Moore, in the part of Kate Desmond, was also good. The other characters wore well filled. A recitation by Mr .Stuart O’Brien followed "Kerry,” Umt gentleman selecting the well worn and almost threadbare “Cha-ga of the Light Brigade.” This was succeeded by a very amusing parody by Mr J. C. Williamson in the Tenton-Rnglish dialect. The comedy of “ Snowball,” admirat/y played, and the farce of “ The Chinese Question,” completed a very full programme, tw to-night, which is the Inst appearance of the Williamsons, “Kerry” and “Dear Joe” are announced. The company leave for Timaru on Monday.

A sudden death has occurred iu the Hath Theuti *. Mis* Linda Dietz’s company mas representing the “Ticket of Leave Mrs,” und just at the close of the first act one of the supernumeraries, named Frederick Evans, while assisting in the arrest of Bob II niy fell dead on the stage.