Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 191, 17 August 1904, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR."

Another geni from live repertoire of Mr J. C. Williamson's Comedy Company was staged aL the Theatre Koyal last night, when the New Plymouth public witnessed for the first time the production of "His Excellency the Governor," a pretty romance in three acts by Captain Hubert Marshall. There was sometiling about the play which attracted and pleased. Comicalities without burlesque, keen wit and sparkling dialogue made Hie story most fascinating, whilst the intensely awkward situations forced on the principals at timeß could not fail to tickle the risible faculties. As on the previous evening the staging effects were splen-

did, and the costuming a special feature. Mr Wilfred Draycott gave a line interpretation of the part, of

His Excellency Sir Montague Governor of the Amandaland Islands. Placed in most luxurious surroundings, far away from the busy world, he had resigned himself to a bachelor existence until he was forced to surrender himself to the beautiful daughter of the Right Hon. Henry Carlton, M.P. Mr Draycott fulfilled his part to the life. As the right lion, gentleman Mr Athod Fordo had a most congenial part, mud certainly made the most of it, showing good acting throughout. The roles of

the amorous aide-de-camp Captain I Charles Carew, and the equally affectionate and more demonstrative private secretary, Mr John Baverstock, were admirably filled by Messrs Claude Fleming and Thomas Cannani. whoso methods of carrying out instructions evoked hearty laughter, whilst the "nightingale" Incident was too ludicrous. Stella dc Gex, a distant cousin of His Excellency, was before the footlights a great deal during the evening, and in this capacity Mis.i Rose Musgrove was an Immense success, and earned the hearty plaudits of the house. Miss Florence Le Clercy played a fine part as Miss Ethel Carlton, and the audience was well pleased with the manner in which her work was done. Mrs Henderson, as Mrs RentworthBolingliroke, was as natural as could bo.wished, and hud all the solicitude that is generally attributed to widowed aunts, and her haughty air in some situations, contracted with her energy in barricading against the warlike natives, caused a good deal of laughter. All the other parts were capitally sustained, every performer being a star in the profession. Those who missed "His Excellency the Governor " last night missed a real treat provided by an unusually polished company of comedy players. Tho production wus preceded by a laughable farce entitled "Marjory's Husband," which put the house in u n excellent humour for tho main comedy,