THEATRE ROYAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2380, 2 November 1880, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

“ The Ticket of Leave Man,” one of the late Tom Taylor’s most popular dramas, was produced last evening at the Theatre Loyal. The piece is of the sensational kind, as most old playgoers are aware,and deals with the adventures of one Lob Lrierly, who in consequence of his love of “ seeing life” falls into bad company, and becomes the unconscious tool of a couple of sharpers. Ultimately he obtains a “ticket of leave,” and disgusted withhimsclf for his past folly endeavors to obtain employment and lead a steady life. lu this he is for a longtime unsuccessful, the taint of the goal hanging to him in spite of all his efforts to get rid of it, and preventing him for a very long time from regainlug his position amongst honest men. Mr Alexander was very successful as the unfortunate Lob, and Mr Love gave a most life-like impersonation of tho the rascally Jim Dalton, his acting in the otlice scene being particular!}' good. As the other scamp of the piece, Melter Moss, the villainous Jew swindler, Mr Herbert made a decided hit. The impersonation would have been much improved, however, had the make-up been older. Mr Lede, as Hawkshaw looked the detective to the life, and he may be congratulated on his conception of the character. Mr Warren had very little to do as G-ibsou the bill broker, but managed to give a tolerably successful impersonation of the City man. Mr Wilkinson as Maltb}', the publican and proprietor of the “ Gardens ” was very amusing. Miss Amy Johns made a capital Sam "Willoughby, a young fellow of rather fast proclivities, and Miss Lawrence managed to extract considerable fun out of the part of Mrs "Willoughby, although her make-up was far too juvenile. Miss Lizzie Morgan gave a most feeling and natural pourtrayal of tho heroine, May Edwards. This evening the company appear for the last time, when the sensational “ Octoroon ” will be produced for the joint benefit of Messrs Herbert and Love. The latter artiste, in making the announcement last night, took the opportunity of thanking the audience for the patronage accorded to the company during its season here. "We hope to have to chronicle a crowded house for to-night.