THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

“ THE BED POCKET BOOK.” For the first time in Wellington—and in New Zealand also—the comparatively new play of “ The Red Pocket Book,” was presented at the Theatre Royal last evening. There has, perhaps, not been a better attendance during the whole season. “ The Red Pocket Book” is a play of the sensational Order, adapted from the French. It bristles with startling, though not unreal, situations ; but it has, nevertheless, inany fine and polished i points. The plot hinges upon the murder of a \banker, and the abstraction of a large sum of liioney and a valuable set of jewels, an innocent individual, of course, being tried, convicted, and banished, for the theft. Whilst being deported to a penal settlement the convict escapes from the ship, which has caught fire, on a raft, accompanied, among other persons, by the Admiral’s daughter, who becomes his affianced wife. They are cast upon the desert coast of Africa, from which all, except the accused, are rescued by a fortunate circumstance, the poor lover being left alone for dead. However, he turns up alive again ; but “the course of true love never yet run smooth,” nor does it in “ the Bed Pocket Book.” The rascal who had stolen the diamonds, money, and an indispensable red pocket book, make offers of marriage to the Admiral’s daughter, and at the same time makes her a present of the diamonds he had stolen. These are seen and recognised by her hero lover as his mother’s property, and the discovery of “The Red Pocket Book” presents unanswerable testimony of innocence on one side and villainy on the other. At the conclusion of each act the applause was great, and Mr. and Mrs. Bates were called before the curtain. The drama will be again presented to-night, when, judging by the favor with which it was received last evening, there will be a crowded house.