THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4990, 21 March 1877, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Theatre Royal was crowded last evening in dress-circle, stalls, and pit, when: Mrs. Scott appeared in a new character—that of Pauline in the "Lady of Lyons," a playi which possesses the merit of being ever popular and always acceptable. Speaking of the acting of Mrs. Scott-Siddons, there , can: be; no" doubt that in many respects she gave the part an original.. rendering; .but. it lost. nothing by that, —on the contrary, it gained much. Her acting was a study throughout, and evinced an amount of intellectual power and feeling that is seldom seen on the stage; In the first act, it must be confessed the audience did not seem prepared for the particular pourtrayal of ; the character as they saw it; but this gifted lady's talent made itself more forcibly appparent, if possible, than on previous occasions, by the manner in which she clearly carried the audience with her as the piece proceeded, and fairly gained their hearts. In what may be termed the test scene of the play, namely, that in which Claude Melnotte arrives with his proud and beautiful bride at the cottage of

his mother, and then make 3 the disclosure of his real position in the world, Mrs. Scott-Siddons wail- as near perfection in her acting as an ordinary mortal could conceive. Of course, we omit.a class of individuals who can never be satisfied with anything ; and there is such a class, members of which may be met with frequently, and in every part of the universe. Without entering into particulars—and there can be no doubt that many passages might be- made - the subject ::'of:' special comment—we may say that her acting throughout this piece was very'touching, and that her charms of'person and graceful carriage heightened the'effect of- a performance that was, in our estimation, nothing short of perfection. —Mrs.-Siddons was - well.supported by Mfc Steele, who played the part of? Claude Melnotte admirably, doing ample justicefto tb* beautiful language in his delivery of the text, in which, it should be needless to say, he was letter: perfect. -,', Mr." Sam Howard as the General,. Mrs. Stpheham as Madame Deachapelles, and Mr. Metcalf, who impersonated Beauseant, performed very creditably, whilst the others engaged in the representation of the piece did justice to the minor parts. The result was in every respect a success. And referring again to a subject of which one does not easily tire, viz., Mrs. Scott T Siddons,'the audience were more than usually demonstrative in their expressions of admiration. That lady received enthusiastic; calls at the conclusion of each of the last 'three acts, and her reappearance was the signal for hearty greetings which teld better than anything else'could possibly have done of the impression the actress had made upon her audience. The performance was unquestionably a treat. To-night th« " Hunchback'' will be produced.