THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4270, 26 November 1874, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Although Bulwer Lytton’s great drama of “The Lady of Lyons" was announced for last evening, it failed to draw the audience which it deserved. The imperious and proud Pauline was pourtrayed by Miss Clara Stephenson, who successfully rendered this somewhat difficult character. In the second act, when Claude Melnotte was describing his palace at Lake Como, hardly sufficient interest was evinced by Pauline ; ample atonement for which was, however, made in the following scene, in which Claude Melnotte introduces his bride to his mother’s home. Mr. Burford, as Claude Melnotte, played excellently ; and the same may be said of Miss Raymond, as Madame Deschappelles; exception must, however, be taken to the youthful style of costume in which that lady apjreared ; and in that respect it was hard to conceive that she intended to represent the mother of Pauline. In other respects the character was beyond criticism. Mr. Thorpe was entrusted with the character of Beauseant, which he rendered satisfactorily. Widow Melnotte found a fitting representative in Miss Pollande, who played and dressed with excellent taste. The other characters in the drama were played effectively, not a single hitch occurring to mar the performance in the slightest. At the finish of the third act, Miss Stephenson and Mr. Burford responded to a call before the curtain ; the plaudits of the audience at other times being frequent and prolonged. The company will re-present “Bettered” this evening, a drama in which Mr. Hydes is afforded ample scope for his fun.