THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4401, 28 April 1875, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Want of space compels ns to give a more curtailed report of the performance at the Theatre Koval yesterday evening than we otherwise would like to do. Mr. C. Burford took his benefit, and selected aa his pieces the first scene of Hamlet, and the Ticket-of-Leave Man. It is always an invidious task to criticise part of a performance, especially if, as was the case last night, the principal character lacks that support which is essential to the proper rendering of Shakspeare. We, therefore, wdl confine our remarks to the performanceof t^® T i l c^.et^ £ ‘^'® av . e Man. Whenwe mention that Mr. 0. Burford took the part of Brierly and Mr. Sam Howard that of Melter Moss, it will readily be seen that a rare exhibition of talent took place. Mr. O. Burforcl’a friends expected much, and were not the least deceived. His acting in so" 1 ® 01 the critical passages was excellent. Hot a few of the audience really felt and sympathised with unfortunate Bob Brierly, when striving hard against an adverse fate, and the temptations which his friend Melter Moss was careful to lay before him in his hour of need The acting of Miss Jessie Raymond well supported Mr. 0. Burford’s interpretation of Bob Brierly, and the two together were greeted with frequent and genuine hursts of applause. The part of Hawkshaw was taken by Mr. Glover, who acquitted himself very .ably indeed. Mr. Stoneham, as Mr. Gibson, gave quite a new rendering of the character, which greatly took with the audience. Altogether the performance was above the average