THEATRE ROYAL
According to announcement Byron’s Comedy, “Our Girls,” was last night presented by Mr Holland his Company. There was a better audience than on the previous night, ,but the house was not crowded as had been expected and as the excellence of the Company deserves. As before, however, those who did attend, were treated to a fascinating and sparkling play.: The performers are proficient in their several parts, in tiie most Complete sense, all the by play, the groupings and various minutisa that go to fill in the outlines were admirable. Mr Hall assumed the most conspicuous role of Captain Gingah, in which he displayed all his singular art and taste. As the impecunious Captain of Militia dangling at the heels .of two girls,, one of whom (he knows not which) is an heiress, and at the same time keeping his eye on a widow who is supposed to possess a certain competency, Captain Gingah places him■elf in sorts of-attitudes, in which his military air, his affected tone, his assumtion of youthfulness keep the audience thoroughly amused from beginning to end. At the commencement of the second act when he has, after dinner, joined the ladies at coffee, having partaken too freely of some “ ’34 port ” he was intensely amusing without a single trace of vulgarity. When he made his final effort to conquer, arrayed in a new ■cariet uniform, his confidence in himself was capitally portrayed, and when finally he falls back upon his last resource, the widow, and made desperate love to her (so effectually as to cause her to faint in his arms where she is discovered by the household) the audience were convulsed with merriment, Mr Boothman did full justice to the part of the wanderer, returned from Mexico, and passed easily and gracefully from grave to gay and back again. His acting was most appropriate and tasteful, Arthur Med win was well and quietly played by Mr Harry Teece. Mr Hesford did full justice to the part of the physician, Dr Fleming. Mr Frank Simmonds was most amusing as Septimus Tipkins —he looked the character which the name seems to imply, thoroughly. Harry Hall took the part of Buttons very nicely indeed. The two young ladies Helen and Lilian Gaythorne, were well represented by Misses Jessie and Buth Gray. The former whom Fred Fanshawe loves and by whom he is secretly loved, dismisses her admirer under the impression that he has found out that she is the heiress and wants to marry her for her money! She therefore falls into desSondency and’ a low nervous state, 'houghout all these scenes of the play, both young ladies did well, but we must particularise Miss Jessie Gray whom nature has endowed with a most expressive face, and a lovely figure, and whom art has made a finished. actress, played with exquisite taste and gracefulness. Miss Jessie is the most pleasing comediene wn have ever seen on the Timaru boards, ' She is _ perfectly natural and omits nothing in gesture, word and look, that the part requires. Her acting last night was moat delightful. MissLonise Crawford, as MrsGunn, the widow, acted with great skill and •ffect, She appeared at best advantage perhaps when sitting over a cup of tea with the ladies, talking scandal. Altogether the play was capital, and we ■hall probably wait a long time before we again witness such excellent acting as this company places before the public. We trust a crowded house will greet them this evening. Last evening, the counter-attraction of a concert may have militated against their having so large a house as was expected. Tonight the field is, all their own, and we look for a treat. The programme comS rises, “Old Soldiers,” and Wandering tinstrels.” “Old (Soldiers” is said to be the best of Byron’s productions, and Mr HaU’s inimitable drollery has full scope. This piece was given by Mr Hall in Timaru in December 1877.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2926, 11 August 1882, Page 3
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656THEATRE ROYAL South Canterbury Times, Issue 2926, 11 August 1882, Page 3
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