Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 190, 16 August 1904, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

THE HAIUUAUE OF KITTY

An undoubted brilliancy pervaded Die performance in the Theatre Royal of "Tho Marriage of Kitty'' last night to a holiday house*. Mr J. 0. Wiiliiviusotn's touring combinations are always expected to produce .-jomething specially attractive, 'and have always maintained that reputation, wvrich to local theatre-goers has even been enhanced by the production last night. "The Marriage of Kitty ' is a delightful comedy, lull 01 winning witticisms, sparkling dialogins amusing ami droll situations, the eliect 1/eing added to by the : charming coalumiag and scenery, the piece was staged in ri'alJ. C. Williamson sijlo, and went with a vim and vigour throughout, 'the title role of Miss Kitty Silverton was played by Miss Rose Musgrove, who is now making her first and a strikingly successl'ul appearance in comedy m Mew Zealand. Her conception of the part was most pleasing, and her acting throughout tarried with it the hall mark of excellence, her own personal charm and a sweet solo forming not the least attractive parts. The part of Sir Reginald Belsize, Bart., hud a skilful treatment at the hands of -Mr Wil.'red Draycott, whose appearance on the stage 111 each case meant the opening of smart dialogue or dainty situations. lie was especially good .n the third act. As the higniy emotional, jealous, and beautiful for-Uine-ieller, ivladame Ue Siiniano, "that Peruvian person," Miss Florence ilamer placed a splendid part, whether in assuming the air of profound ailection for her ailianced hutfuand or on those occasions where her lofty manner made the usuully conlident "Reggie" sdiako in hiis sgoes. The writer had given her a part iliat would test the best in comedy, and Miss ilamer emerged with honours. Air Afchol i« oide flayed his cards remarkably well as Mr John Travers, solicitor, on whose advice was perpetrated the marriage which caused so much contusion in the little circle, and was the means of providing such an evening's amusement. His authoritative air in the second act, when the divorce was being arranged, coupled witli the artful manner in which *\e eventually worked in the opposite direction for his god-cliiild Kitty, and his cleverly natural manner throughout stamped him as an artist of undoubted ability. Mr Fred VV. Pennain, in the miroor part of the man servant, and Miss FlorLe Clerey, as twe French maid, actr ud splendidly, and gave the audii•auce a slight idea of what might be expected when entrusted with prominent situations. From start to finish the perionuance was one of sterling merit, and the smartness of the repartee was lemarkaible. The orchestral selections were well played.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR."

Regarding "His Excellency tho Governor," to be produced to-night, the Auckland Star says ;After "Tne Admirable Crichton," "His Excellency the Governor" is the best thing of the fantastical satiric kind yet seen in Auckland. It ia a play so light, so radiant, so 'dainty and •delicate that the sheer Jjoy of it all fails to express itself. The audience comes away happy and delighted ; but it can no more explain its delight than it can account for the joy of a sunbeam. You know that tho situations are finely humorous, that the dialogue is surprisingly brilliant, that the plot is deliriously absurd, but you know that to make the effect of it all clear to anyone else were as possible as to catch the sunbeam aforesaid. The author, Captain Robert Marshall, well aware that iiumour is the thoughtful presentation of the incongruous, has devised situations of such incongruity a?:, if they could bo true, would mi the world by the eais. The change of the vice-mgal circle of the Amandaland Islands from a trio of mere officials to a band of love-sick swains, guilty of antics the most, absurd and laughable, and all .hrough the prevalence of the dust of tho aloe throughout Government j House, ia a situation which lends it- ! self to the most superbly comic developments. When the Colonial Secretary (a Iwing' in outward appeurance not unlike another and a real Secretary of State) is also infected with the mighty passion, the position becomes .still more delightfully giotesque. Situation after situation is developed, the satirical giving way to the merely fajntas'iically absurd, and tliat again making room for the satirical. The last act ends in a most daring and happy satire on the War Office, in which "the enemy" is another British force, and neither is wounded because both are supplied with the latest pattern of rifle. The play is simply a series of ti'.e most brilliant points, and it j could not be done justice to without ! their enumeration. The successive | proposal of marriage to Et'.iel by ! i.he Aide, the Secretary, and the Goi vernor himself, and 1 the deliberation with the beloved one of all three, the love-making of tho elderly sister of the Colonial Secretary, and that Minister's own advances to tho flighty Stella; the approach of the "enemy," and the compromising situations t l mt arise therefrom, the ladies' fortifications, tho Colonial Secretary's despatch to the coal cellar, and the timorous! courage of all in face of danger, are merely the concluding revels of this exqluisiito infantry.