THEATRE ROYAL

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2304, 5 August 1880, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL

The Byronic Comedy and Burlesque Company had a crowded house last evening, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The piece represented was the well known emotional drama “East Lynne.” The leading impersonation was assumed by Miss Clara Stephenson, an artiste •well and favorably known to the colonial stage. As the heroine of the plot her acting was intensely realistic, and free from the exaggeration which so often mars and burlesques what are intended to be most effective representations. With the exception of that gifted Australian actress —the late Miss Kate Warde — there is probably no actress in this part of the world who has ever studied the character with greater success than Miss Stephenson, and her performance last evening made a most telling impersonation. Mr Robert Love, as Archibald Carlyle, looked the character and affected the polish, and Sir Francis Lcvison found a literally faithful and accurate exponent in Mr R, W. RedeMr M. Alexander, as Lord Mount Severn, gave a felicitous representation, and Mr J, Wilkinson, although out of his low comedy clement as Richard Hare, did his best to give a realistic tinge to the sorrowing fugitive. Barbara Hare was carefully impersonated by Miss Lizzo Morgan, Corney, by Miss Lizzie Lawrence, and Joyce, by Miss Amy Johns. The smaller parts were filled up by other members of the company, t whose names we reserve for future mention, when an opportunity is given for criticising their efforts. “ The Little Detective ” is announced for this evening.