THE THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 4

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

MISS MAY HOWARD. ' ■ - j To-night the lovers of the drama, will have an unusual treat, in. the first appearance of Miss May Howard, the young and, handsome American actress, who has lately created a great sensation in Melbourne and and later in Auckland, Christchurch,' and Dunedin. She' Will appear, moreover,; in' an 'entirely new ■ play,“ The : Geneva Cross,” the ■ author of which—Mro George EawcettKowe—was wellknown some, years ago in Melbourne as an excellent actor, who, during his g management of the Princess Theatre, put on the boards a succession Of novelties; and local, impersonations Of character that were’jadmifable. . The success : achieved by the. “ Geneva- Cross” in England and America lias been very, great. New scenery'has- been painted for-it here by Mr. C. Massey,' in his best style, and some excellent mechanical .effects-by Mr. Hyder .will be introduced. It ig of Miss May Howard , and the play, however, that we should speak, and perhaps we, cannot ‘do better, before'.the; production of f the, new 'drama,', than quote the following from the Sydney Morning Herald “ The drama in itself is spirited in its action and by 'no means devoid of intrinsic merit, though" it is somewhat, problematical whether it will live upon the stage iii after years, when stilling: events to come shall have toned down the memory of the great European struggle, a-s tbe horrors'of the Coiimiune of Paris caused those of the; Prussian: seige to fade, by compari- 1 son. - Tbe plot hinges upon the fortunes of Kiel Du Bourg, a young Prussian of rank, who has quitted his country, and for certain reasons assumes the garb of a workman and enters M. Pierre I.e Brun’s foundry at Auxerre. In this position he is so fortunate as-to gain the affections of Gabrielle, his employer's charming daughter. At the proper time he.reveals himself, and the young couple receive the paternal benediction ; but at this juncture the war with Prussia breaks out. The cry is “To Berlin,” the foundry is deserted, and Eeil and Gahrielle depart to Paris. The drama concludes with the fall of that city. As Gabrielle, Miss May Howard appeared to great advantage, her natural charms of face and figure telling very strongly in her favor. The contour of her features, and her expression are not adapted to light hair, and she would do well in all cases where the exigencies of the drama do not demand otherwise, to display her own luxuriant, jetty tresses in preference to any production of the wig-maker. In this play, more especially in the spoiled-beauty coquetry of the first and second acts, Miss Howard appeared to be quite at home, and in the more emotional passages delivered the part with much feeling. She was lavishly applauded throughout. Mr. G. \V. Collier appeared as Riel Du Bourg, and evinced that he is quite capable of forming an intelligent appreciation of a leading part. Altogether, the ‘Geneva Cross ’ may be pronounced ‘ a hit,’ and ,it should have a lengthy career.”