THEATRE ROYAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 6, 8 January 1903, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

LEIGH-POUGLAS COMPANY. Oossiderino the ur,favourabla weather there was a good audience at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening, when this talented Company open<d their Bea;op here with " Jane," one of the most laughable comedies stag d in New Plymouth; Mr Leigh, in conjunction with Mr. Pierce, took a company on tour through the Transvaal during the war and Jwas tbe means of lightening tbe hard labours of the "Tommies" on many occasions. Mr. Bannet Burleigh, the celebrated war correspondent, described one of their p. rformancjs at the Bloemfouteiu Town Hall thus; " I found the plac packed with military from generals to private o , ai well as a pretty spriuklinjj of ladies and, townsmen. Modorn comedy held tbe stage and was so well depicted that there was no standing room anywher?, and even places on ladders sold for half a-crown a rung. You could hear the military roars of laughter like sjlvobb of artillery—it gave the no3ll zest to resume du'.y. For an hour or two they had a roof over their hta's for a cha»g°, and thec aseless rattle of r«An pipsed unheeded." Afte.' s eiug the pe-fenaance of "JaDe" one c.u well uniarstand the boon it was to ou< men on the to pass an'hour or two in contioml laughter. As Oha.les Shackle'on, Mr Puree proved himself to be a perfoal actor, whose want of veracity was artistic to the eor<>. His novel idea of extricating himself from financial difficulties gava an opportunity for the exercise of thow marvellous piwers he possesses for raiaicg roars of laughter, the dialogue abounding in clever quips, while tue situations are droll in the ex rem*. As Tipton' the valet, Mr Harry Douglas had a part that suited him to a nicety. I was a strong p>rt in which misery and love wera humourously much to the delight of the audience, who laughed almost without leasing. Mr James Martin, as Kershaw (Shackelton's guardian), gava a very clever delineation of his part, and materially assisted in tbe success achieved by the company. Miss Roie Phillips took the title role, which she filled in sftch a way as to eirn the hearty commendation of the audience. Htr vivacity was only equalled by her' clevern«ss, and-" Jane" caught on im mensely. One of the most amu>ing charactors was that of the lone widow, Mrs Ohadwick, and Mrs Barry Lane did ample ju*tiae to the part, which in her hands was a very clever and highly amusing delineation. Ail the other characters were most ably represented, the compiny as a whole and individually being excellent. The way in which the comedy was staged refl cted the greatest credit on the management. " The Brothers " was staged as a curtain raiser, and served its purpose well. TO-NIGH r "My Partner" will take the boards. This is a three-act p\thetic drama portraying the friendship of an old digger for his partner, and his unselfish devotion to the woman tbey both love. It is full of pathetic incidents, and string dramatic & fleets. In the hands of such an exceptionally good company this piece should attract a crowded house. Rarely is such a favourable congests of opinion heird as to a play ns that which was expressed on Wednesday night.