THEATRE ROYAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 291, 16 December 1878, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Without the desire 01* intention of , saying, a single word in depreciation of our local amateur. dramatists. we must confess that to once again see acting, and. such; acting as that of Saturday night was indeed a real treat. Mr and Mrs George Darrell are too well known throughout the colonies to need a single word of praise at our hands, but it often happens that in companies of this kind there are perhaps one or two bright stars, while the others are mere puppets.'. This,-' however, is not the case with the Darrell Company, the two .leading artists being thoroughly and well supported by ladies and gentlemen who are all well up to their work. The beautiful play " The Lady of Lypns" was the.one sqlected.for Saturday , ilight, and from first t6 last, with the exception of an occasional too lengthy interval between" the acts, the whoje piece went smoothly and without a single hitch of any kind. The plot is, well known to every ..playgoer,'; so that . we /need, not give" any sketch of; it. The principal parts,' 1 those of Claude Melnotte and Pa>ilin.'e were, o.f : course, taken by Mr and Mrs Darrell; The' nctipg aud elocution of the former throughout were excellent, and jn the scene in which in a moment of bitter remorse arid self reproach he makes known to the proud beauty of Lyons that she has married a poor gardener's son instead of a Prince as she believed, they were superb. The heartbreaking grief of Pauline upon learning 1 the deception that had been practised oh her, the graqjial^ relenting as Claude declared and showed by liis actions how deep was his repentance, her agony of mind onjlieing forced, in order to save her father, to betroth herself to th,o jieartless vengeful Beauseant, tl\e bitter scorn with' which she.toM him .the i terms upon which she was about to marry him, and finally her joy at beipg saved just as she was about to, sign the fatal document, by Claude, who after two years service in the army returnedan officer of rank and renown, a(t these were depicted with such force and* power, and withal so naturally that the audience at times could scarcely refrain from giving.e;cpression to their admiration. The proud a^d. silly Madanie iDeschappellesiwas capitally represented by"' Miss Bessie Vernon, and homely, honest' Witjow Mqlnotte by Mias Kate Veruon Mr Dave. Clinton entered with, grenti spirit int&.the part} $$he pUuljii g' scoundrel Beauseant,. who gave "biiioself so completely up to wreaking his revenge on Pauline for refusing 'bint. Mr Howe madean excellent, fiery, woman-hating old General Dumas. M. Deschappelles was cleverly Impersonated by Mr fyuntley, and all'the iiiinorj parts were well done in their way. To thpse )vho are fond of really good acting we dan j