THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4315, 19 January 1875, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

ME. AND MES. F. M. BATES. Frequent rendition of the “ Lady of Lyons ” has made Wellington playgoers tolerably familiar with Bulwer’s most popular play, but it has not, to their credit be it said, dulled their appreciation of standard plays and standard acting. The improbabilities of the romance, and the florid language of the play, must be too well impressed upon the minds of those who have seen it to require any special reference upon this particular occasion.' In three words the plot is a skilful interweaving of passion, pride, and virtue; and what was attractive about it was the desire to compare Mr. and Mrs. Bates with others who have trodden the well-worn paths marked off by the celebrated novelist for the gardener’s sou and his deluded fiancee. It should be mentioned that this desire was shared by a considerable number of people, who were aware of the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Bates were treacling upon delicate ground, for the recollection of bliss Colville and Mr. Steele in this same piece is not easily forgotten. It may, therefore, be accepted as the strongest praise that Mr. and Mrs. Bates came out of the ordeal with credit te themselves, and presented a rendering which was eminently satisfactory, and well deserving of the applause it evoked. The piece was well mounted, and scrupulous care was evinced with regard to every detail, which seems, to be a special point with the management. Mrs, Stoneham made a great deal of . the fussy Madame Desohapelles ; but, as is always observable with Mrs. Stoneham, the part was not overdone. Mr. Burford’s Beauseant was amusing in the extreme, and being well supported by the still more foppish Glavis (Mr. Stoneham) the contrast to the poetic fide of the picture was well sustained throughout. Mr. Howard lacked the spirit proper to the fiery old Colonel Damas, a fault attributable not to any want of ability, but to the fact that -the character is out of Mr. Howard’s line. Mr. Hydss had little to do, but as a matter of course that little was done well. We may add that it is highly to the credit of Mr. and Mrs. Bates that in the short time during which the Theatre Royal has been open under the management of Messrs. Bates and Howard they should have produced so large a list of plays, and have done so much to elevate the taste of the theatre-going public by the style in whieh they have placed them on the stage. The list includes—Elizabeth Queen of England, Frou Frou, Ingomar, School, The Streets of New York, Camille, Our American Cousin, East Lynne, Rosedale, Borneo and Juliet, and the Lady of Lyons.