THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5079, 4 July 1877, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

There was a crowded house at the Theatre Boyal last night, when the sparkling comedy of “ London Assurance” was placed upon the stage under the patronage and in the presence of his Excellency the Governor and suite, who occupied seats in the centre of the dress-circle, and remained during the whole of the perform* ance. The piece is always a popular one, and is no douht familiar to the theatre-going portion of our readers, and the manner in which it was put upon the boards and performed was most creditable to the management and the performers. The leading characters, of Sir Harcourt Courtly and Lady Gay Spanker, were played by Mr. Morton Tavares and Miss Surtees respectively, and were admirably sustained. The character of Lady Gay Spanker, appears especially suited to Miss Surtees, whose tall and commanding figure—if one may so speak of a lady—combined with a most

vivacious and at the same time graceful manner of acting, produced a morjt favorable impression on the large audience last night. Mr. Morton Tavares’ rendering of the part of Sir Harcourt Courtly was one of the best impersonations we have ever seen, and it is by no means an easy character to pourtray without exaggeration. The two leading characters were well supported by the rest of the company. Mr. Howard as Mark Meddle, the pettifogging lawyer, being remarkably good. Miss Stoneham very ably sustained the part of Grace Harkaway, and the remaining characters were well played. Last night’s was altogether one of the best performances we have seen at the Theatre Royal, and the frequent applause which greeted the piece' throughout from the rise to the fall of the curtain is an unmistakeable evidence of its merits, and of the appreciation by the audience. The programme will be repeated to-night, when we expect to see another full house.