MISS LAWRENCE’S BENEFIT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2881, 22 January 1886, Page 2

MISS LAWRENCE’S BENEFIT.

Miss Lawrence’s benefit at the Theatre Royal last night was attended by an appreciative audience. The initial item on the programme “ Out off with a Shilling,” a smartly written comedietta, was well received, Miss Lawrence’s performance of Kilty Gaythorn being marked by that archness and vivacity which is always a pleasant characteristic of her acting in comedy roles. Mr Rede dashed through the part of Sam with spirit and humour; and Mr Dillon, as Colonel Berness, ably seconded their efforts. A recitation by Mr 0. M‘Keegan waspraiseworthy, and the same may be said of Mr Heard’s rendering of “The Minstrel Boy.” In the Quarrel and Screen Scenes from “The School for Scandal,” Miss Lawrence, as Lady Teazle, took her audience entirely by surprise, her conception as well as her execution being artistic in the extreme. Her exit in the Screen was attended by an enthusiastic burst of applause. Mr Rede, as Chas. Surface, proved an agreeable rattle. Mr M‘Keegan is to be complimented on his rendition of the wily Joseph ; and Mr Dillon lent good service as Sir Peter Teazle. The farce of “Betsy Baker” proved a capital vehicle for displaying the comic powers of Mr Rede and Miss Lawrence, and dispersed the audience in high good humour. We are glad to hear that in compliance with a generally expressed wish the R,edeLawrence Company have decided to give a final performance at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night. A new and attractive programme will be given. One of the chief features in it will be the celebrated Defiance Scene from the “Octoroon.” A startling reduction will be made in the prices of admission—adults will be admitted at two shilling, to the front seats, one shilling to the back, and children will be charged half price all over the house.