THEATRE ROYAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2310, 12 August 1880, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

One of the largest and noisiest audiences that has assembled at the above place of entertainment for some time past populated the building last evening. The circle was patronised by a variety of gods and goddesses, and a promiscuous array of the fair sex, while downstairs larrikin element sat and stood in all its glory. The night was the last of the season for the Byronic Company, and 11 Retribution ; or, The Last of the Kellys,” having been announced, something lively was anticipated. The play was preceded by a profusion of demoniacal yells,cat-calls, vociferous whistling, and the tumbling and crashing of seats and planks. “ Aladdin : or, the Wonderful Scamp ” formed the prelude, and we have rarely seen this popular burlesque more cruelly murdered. The dresses were good and appropriate, but this can hardly be accepted as a redeeming feature. Miss Clara Stephenson, as “ Aladdin ” played a part for which she is not too well adapted, in a passable manner, but her rendition of “ Sweet speewit hear my prayer” was not up to the mark- As for the Princess,'Miss Lizzie Morgan, she had, from some cause or another, lost her voice, and when she tried to sing she fairly broke down. Mr Herbert’s comic make up as Widow Twankey appeared to be an unkind cut at some of his admirers in the audience, and of course it evoked plenty of laughter. Mr Herman made a good Scotchman, but as for the others who figured in the burlesque they rendered themselves chiefly conspicuous h} r an almost entire unacquaintance with their parts. The interval between burlesque and drama was filled up by a free fight in the stalls, accompanied by a fiendish uproar, and some of the younger ladies of the circle left in a half fainting condition. After an unnecessarily long lapse of time, the curtain rose to a lively air, on the first scene of “ the Kellys,” and revealed the mother of the gang (Miss Amy Johns) exclaiming “ It’s a poor heart thatnever rejoices ; here’s luck to the boys,” and drinking from a dusty tumbler. The four desperadoes, followed by the notorious Kate, immediately make their appearance. Ned (Mr Lowe) relates with apparent gusto his cattle stealing exploits, and Kate tells an absurd story of how she has been assaulted by Trooper Howell. Steve Hart, formerly attached to Byrne’s sister, but now a repentant prodigal deeply in love with Kate, vows vengeance, and in reply to Kate’s sanguinary demands there was an all round chorus of “we will.” The absurdity concludes by a change of scene, the free hooters standing in the wings, when trooper Howell (Mr Turner) makes his appearance, strikes his forehead, exclaiming “ I feel as if a bullet whistled through my brain,” at which interesting moment the report of a rifle is heard, but not the “ whistle,” and he drops like a crow. Act 2 was the amusing, and to many the only enjoyable part of the drama. The curtain rises on a local vendor of hot pies, muffins, and crumpets, and another youth in baker’s regimentals who were supposed to represent bank clerks. The serious features of the pieman sent the larrikins into convulsions, and his companion clerk, unable to control himself, took part in the merriment. After several minutes of indescribable uproar, the ludicrous scene was intensified by the pieman rising from his seat, stepping forward towards the footlights and making a series of ungainly bows. The deafening yells continued, and again the pieman rose, this time to vary the performance of bowing with uplifted hands by blowing his nose in a yard of calico. A respite in the row enabled the Kellys to make their appearance, and demonstrate to the clerks, by roping them, how the Davenport trick is done. The pieman seemed at one time in process of being strangled, and this was the signal for renewed merriment, while every time that a firearm was pointed threateningly at his nose loud laughter ensued. At one time it seemed most likely that this unfortunate was designed for cat’s meat, but a better fate awaited him, for by coming in contact with a cockney squatter (Mr Wilkinson) and a bag of flour, ho was finally converted into piecrust, and he took an active part in the capture of Ned Kelly. The second act concluded with the shooting down of two or three troopers, and the third act, which was a very brief one, gave a very indefinite representation of the scene at Glenrowan, the capture of Ned Kelly, and the burning of the public house. Altogether the so-called drama, in structure, dialogue, and everything that goes to comprise scenic display, was the trashiest production we have ever witnessed on a public stage. It has the distinguishing characteristics of novelty and most questionable taste, and these drew the large audience, but it is a drama which we venture to say would ensure an empty house if an attempt was made to repeat it.