THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4432, 3 June 1875, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

There was a good attendance last evening to witness the production, for the first time in Wellington, of the new drama “Temptation."' Great efforts had been made by the management to ensure success, and the very satisfactory manner in which the drama was placed upon the stage left little to be desired. Miss Colville’s representation of Camille was decidedly a triumph. Whether as the discontented beauty laboring under a sense of neglect, imaginary though it was, or the victim of an unreasoning jealousy yet struggling to preserve her honor in spite of strong temptation, or as the repentant remembering past follies with remorse. Miss Colville played the part with rare ability. All through the piece she was free, natural, and truthful, but in the parting scene, Act IV., and the reconciliation scene, in the concluding act, she was particularly good. Mr. Hoskins’ Goutran was scarcely up to his usual mark in the three first acts. There was a slight want of dash and spirit in his pourtrayal of the gay, careless French count ; but in the two concluding acts, wherein a more sober phase of the character is brought out, he was really very effective ; in fact, his share in the parting and reconciliation scenes could not have been much improved upon. Miss Lilly May’s Helene was really, a very praiseworthy performance. This lady is daily improving, and with a little care and culture will, we are convinced, assume a leading position in theatrical circles. The same may be said of Mr. Booth ; as Achille he %vas easy and self-possessed, and did excellent service. Miss Marion Moore had not a very onerous .task allotted her, therefore, beyond the little episode in the first act she had little opportunity of distinguishing herself. Mr. Burford’s Trevelyan was rather a surprise, and a pleasing sui-prise. We had been afraid he would not give a creditable account of himself in a character rather out of his line—that he would import into it the vehemence and heaviness which generally characterise his acting; but we were agreeably disappointed, for notwithstanding that he shared with Mr. Hoskins the lack of a sprightly air and appearance, he played his part with a care that denoted study. Mr. Hydes as usual was very amusing. He possesses excellent tact, and if he has anything funny to say, he says it at the proper moment, thus ensuring that his hit shall be effective. This was particularly noticeable last evening, and we doubt whether Wellington lads will allow his quaint interjection, “ That’s the idea, jot it down,” to be forgotten for some few weeks. Miss Lawrence as Madame de Saulien made a capital prim and disagreeable granny, but Miss Gassy Matthews’s rendering of the Dowager Countess de Vardes savored too much of a slovenly element to be acceptable. As a whole the performance was eminently satisfactory. The play is well connected ; the plot, without intricacies and seasonably relieved by. amusing incidents ; the dialogue throughout is simple, but not dreary, and consequently the interest is well sustained. The same bill will be repeated this evening.