THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4967, 22 February 1877, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Seldom has an audience in Wellington been more thoroughly or more generally amused than was that which came together at the Theatre Royal last night to see Mr. J. L. Hall and his charming little wife in Byron’s play “ Tottles,” performed here for the first time. As the fun, pathos, and interest of “ Our Boys ” turn mainly upon the characteristics displayed by a butterman grown rich, so in “ Tottles” they hinge upon the fortunes of an eatinghouse-keeper, who, becoming wealthy, neglects one of his own sphere (his cousin) to mate with a penniless young lady, who does not care twopence about him, but who lends herself to the schemes of her fashionable pauper brother in order to secure comfortable living for both. After marriage, husband and wife entertain mutual contempt for each other, and the latter lends too ready an ear to the attentions of an old admirer, a well-bom blackleg. The ex-waiter obtains a divorce after an absence from his friends, and returns to his son’s wedding, which he mistakes for that of the cousin whom he neglected but now loves, with an old friend ; but this mistake is finally rectified, and all ends happily. As Tottles, the ci-devant waiter, Mr. Hall jvas admirable, and well' as he personated the character he surpassed himself in the last act, when he was exquisitely funny, and kept the audience in continued laughter throughout,