THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4382, 6 April 1875, Page 2

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

“ STILL WATERS RUN DEEP.” Tom Taylor’s favorite play is particularly affected by amateurs, and, consequently, is pretty well known to the public; but how different is “Still Waters "Run Deep” when played by amateurs and by gentlemen of the profession ! It may be said f«r certain that it has never been performed in Wellington so admirably as it was last night at the Theatre Royal by the Bates-Howard Company. There was a large attendance; and the house, as now arranged, looks remarkably well when the people assemble in numbers. The play was placed on the stage with all the care which marks the management. The story of “ Still Waters ” is so well known that we need say nothing of it, but we may remark that it is one which is well adapted to the peculiarities of the company, and that last night’s performance proved to be one of the most genuine successes they have yet obtained. Mrs. Bates’s Mrs. Hector Sternhold was a fine piece of acting, and we may dismiss the ladies by at once saying that Miss Jessie Raymond’s Mrs. Mildmay was a very creditable production. Wc have no hesitation in declaring that Mr, Bates’s John Mildmay was one of the best impersonations we have yet had from-him, and we are free to add that it was the best the stage of Wellington has yet seen. He fully comprehended the conception of the author, and his John Mildmay stands out prominently as something on which Mr. Bates is well entitled to pride himself. And we are glad to say that the audience were not slow to recognise the merits of both Mr. and Mrs. Bates, —the more especially, perhaps, as regards the lady, from the strong conti'ast presented between the parts of Mrs. Sternhold and Queen Elizabeth. The part of Captain Hawkesly was played Mr. Burford, who evidently had thought of the distinguished men who had played it in England, and was ambitious to show that he, too, could play it well. And he did so. Always careful —always letter perfect—his Captain Hawkesly must be regarded as one of his best successes. Old Potter found an excellent representative in Mr. Hydes. The minor parts were well filled, and the whole performance was a great success. The farce of “Slasher and Crasher,” in which Mr. Howard and Mr. Hydes appeared, brought the entertainment to a close.

We trust that “Still Waters Run Deep” will not be withdrawn for a night or two. Those of the citizens who love to see a clever drama thoroughly well placed upon the stage, and thoroughly well acted, must see Mr. and Mrs. Bates in “ Still Waters Run Deep.”