The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 26 February 1891, Page 2

The Dobson-Kennedy Company.

» .- Wednesday's Manawatu Times thus speaks of the perlomiance of the Shaughran : — The Dobson -Kennedy Company were greeted with a crowded house both upstairs and downstairs, on their first appearance here last night in Dion Boucicault's evergreen Irish drama " Conn, the Shaughraun . ' ' The reputation of the Company had preceded them was not only fully maintained but greatly enhanced by last night's performance. One noticeable and most praiseworthy feature is that there is no " tail "to the Company ; one and all are clever artistes and well able to substain prominent parts in any company. From the rise to the fall of the curtain the attention of the audience was thoroughly rivetted, and is almost needless to say that everybody was highly delighted with the performance. Mr J. J. Kennedy who has no superior as an Irish inipersonater, was Conn, the Shaughraun ; and he, of course, established himself at once as a prime favourite with the audience. His rollicking Irish, liumor at intervals fairly con- i vulsed the audience and at other times they were carried away with enthusiasm at his bravery. Mr Kennedy scored a distinct hit in a part which he fulfils to the life. As Moya Dolan, Conn's sweetheart, Miss Idrene Thornton, made a most favorable impression, and her charm ing vivacity and pique secured the unbounded approval of the audience in the shape of applause. She sang " Wearing o' the Green," in excellent style. Miss Lily Hill was a decided success as Clare Ffolliot, and

her representation of the character cannot be too highly praised. Miss May Vernon and Mr W. E. Jermyn successfully took the characters of Arte O'Neal and Mrs O'Kelly. Mr Collet-Dobson showed high dramatic power as Robert Ffolliot, and his performance could not have been excelled ; though the part is rather a light one, the lv.tle Mr Dobson had to do was sufficient to show that he is an actor of the first rank. MiFrank Norton made an ideal Captain Molineux, and he gave an excellent representation of an English officer. Mr W. H. Cowan, as Harry Duff, Mr W. E. Jermyn as Corry Kincheld, and Mr Harry Saville as Father Dolan excelled each in their own parts, and the minor characters of the piece were well sustained. The performance was uniformly excellent from first to last, and the unanimous verdict was that the company was one of the best, if not the best, dramatic troupe that has yet visited Palmerston. That they will have a successful season we have no doubt. At the close of the second and final aots, so enthusiastic were the audience thtri the kadl»g character were

called before the curtain, and while tho favourites were loudly applauded, the villains of the piece were incon- „ tinently hooted.