THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4299, 31 December 1874, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

His Excellency the Governor, with the Marchioness of Normality and suite, attended the Theatre last night. The play selected by his Excellency was “ Our American Cousin.” The performance was entirely successful, every member of the company apparently doing her or liis best, as if the success of the play depended upon the exertions of every individual actor in it. This is os it should be, and in the end must command large and increasing audiences. Last night witnessed the most select and fashionable company that has been seen inside the walls of the theatre for many months. We have never seen Mr. Bates to better advantage than on this occasion—the ease and finish of the performance betraying the true actor. It is perhaps unnecessary to say that Mrs. Bates was encored in the pretty ballad “Rock me to sleep,” or that generally she played so effectively as materially to assist in the success of “ Our American Cousin.” The entertainment concluded with a “ Quiet Family,” in which Mr. Sam Howard sustained Iris old character of Mr. Barnaby Bibbs to the manifest satisfaction of the audience. This evening will be presented, for the first time in Wellington, the drama of “Frou Frou,”, in which Mrs. F. M. Bates will essay the character of Gilberte.