THEATRE ROYAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1449, 20 May 1881, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Comedy and Burlesque Company opened here last night to an attendance in no way commensurate with the merits of the performance; but, notwithstanding the slim attendance the performance was given with a fidelity to nature and detail truly surprising. The play selected was " The Irish Exile," which served as a vehicle to introduce Mr J. J. Wallace and Mrs Waller lliil to the public of Kumara. Of the play itself it is difficult to speak, as we have had nothing like it on the colonial stage, if we except a general family likeness to most of that type of drama with which Boucicault has' made us faiuilar. The story of the play is simply told. It is that of an Irish patriot, who for his participation in the disturbances of 1795, is condemned to death. In the opening scene, which may be called a prologue, he has just escaped from prison, and, being pursued by the soldiery, takes refuge in his former home. The military arriving, his wife entertains them while

her husband (Fitzgerald) makes his escape ; and jnst here occurs a very beautiful song, by Miss Johns, which she gives with much feeling and effect. There is a lapse of twenty years between the prologue and the drama proper, which is a birthday festival to the supposed heiress of Lord Kilgour. An Irish piper appears on the scene, who turns out to be Fitzgerald, who has returned to Ireland to search for the faithful wife and compauion of his early days. Morgan Wolfe, who is a rejected suitor for the hand of Eileen Kilgour, learn the true state of affairs, holds over the head of Fitzgerald the threat of exposure and death unless he claims the supposed heiress as his own daughter (as she afterwards proves to be). This is about the material on which the play ia constructed. The working out of the different ramifications through which the story is developed reflects the highest credit on those engaged in it. Mr J. J. Wallace as Gerald Fitzgerald, the patriot 'and wandering fortune-teller, gave strong evidence of being a master of his art. The love of country, manly pride, and the filial affection so manifest in the Irish nature were given with a pure simplicity and want of effort, so much so as to cause the question—"ls he acting V while the sudden transitions from the depth of pathos to the broadest flashes oi humor gave abundent proof of his ability. It may to some seem strange that a man of his nature should lend himself to so questionable an act as he is made to do in the play. But the grand object he has in view, and the natural love of life must be taken into consideration. Although he tells us in so many words that he " must now play the clown again." he steps with so much ease from the sublime to what might be called the ridiculous as to leave a doubt in the minds of many as to consistency of the character ; yet it is done in so masterly a manner as to command our admiration in spite of ourselves. This drunken scene where he makes the claim of fathership to the person of Eileen was simply inimitable. The bubbling humor that shone in his eyes and sparkled in his face when the absurdity of his position at times dawned on him—was in the strongest contrast to the grand outburst of manhood when he makes the discovery that Eileen is, indeed, his daughter. Mrs Walter Hill's portraiture of the loving wife ready to sacrifice everything for the husband of her heart, and, after, as the daughter of a new-found father, was given with a womanly tenderness, calling forth unrestricted praise from all who witnessed her efforts. Of the other characters in the play, it is enough to say that they were in the hands of those well known to our readers, who from past experience are fully aware that ample justice was done by each and all. We notice a marked improvement in the general appearance of the stage both as to room and general effects—a want that has long been felt. Our readers should remember that this and to-morrow nights are the only appearance of this talented company, and if in the future they look for good dramatic entertainment, they should give that encouragement to true merit when it comes to us as to justify managers to bring us the best. Such " beggarly accounts of empty benches" will result in leaving us out of the dramatic world, which after all that is said and done, constitutes one of our mental diets. To-night « Old Fidelity," or « English Hearts and Homes " and " Delicate Ground " will be produced.