THEATRE-ROYAL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2022, 28 June 1875, Page 2

THEATRE-ROYAL.

The Dc Lias theatrical company opened the Theatre Royal.on Saturday night, and drew a large pit audience. The " Geneva Cross" was produced. This drama is founded on the late Franco-Prussian war, and is quite new to tho Thames. As may be imagined, it is. eminently sensar tional—that would be inseparable from a play of the kind; but iL has many recommendations which should make it generally attractive. The language in one or two of the chief characters is refined and full of feeling; and there is no want of the comic element. The situations are invariably good, sometimes striking, and the action of the piece throughout is of such a nature as to engage and concentrate the interest of the spectators, There is, however, nothing very intricate in the plot, which we may briefly sketch as follows : A Prussian gentleman, one Riel do Burg, visits Paris, ere yet tho difference between the two nations has culminated'in open hostilities, as a student of foreign policy, and engages as a workman in the factory of M.,Le Bran, who has a daughter, Gabrielle, with whom he falls .passionately in love, and the lady returns his affection. But he has a formidable riral in the person of Mathew Moiiiew, the managing man of the factory, and the trusted; confidant of the lady's parent, who, moreover, encourages his suit. Matters are brought to a head by Madame Casandre, the aunt, discovering a love passage between Riel and Gabrielle. The affair is made known to the paternal Brun, and he 13 very much enraged; but Riel, in order to preserve the honor of his ladylove, discloses his real station, is accepted as a son-in-law, and Moniew, the manager and pretende partner in. the firm, is rejected and snubbed. The marriage takes place. Immediately afterwards war is proclaimed between France, and Prussia, and the curtain falls oh the departure for Berlin. In the following act Paris is besieged, and 6ur acquaintances are resisiding in that city. .Moniew has been elevated to the rank of captain in an army of citizen soldiers. He, having nourished feelings of revenge towards Riel de Burg, charges him with being a spy, and gives orders for his arrest, but the latter escapes,: aided by his wife and a soldier Cornichefc, formally a workman in the factory. Moniew then arrests the father and daughter for abetting his escape, and they are condemned to death, but he offers the . father escape at the price of his daughter's dishonor. His overtures aro resented, however, and then comes the tableau, which was worked up with admirable effect, and made* a decidedly favorable impression. The scene is supposed to be a guard-house at one of the outposts, and the villain Moniew has just called in his minions to have the daughter and her sire dragged to execution, when a body of Prussians who have been engaged in bombarding the post, burst through the wall, and, headed by Kiel de Burg, come to the rescue. • Moniew is shot, and Gabriello falls into the arhis of her husband. Tho principal. charac* ters only have been mentioned in the above. Miss May Howard appears to be an accomplished and clever actress, and certainly made a very favorable impression in the character of Gabrielle, being honored by a demonstrative, call before ; the curtain. Miss Howard i.«, moreover, possessed of great personal attractions, and drosses with perfect taste. Her rendering of the part was at once spirited and feeljng. Mr Collier played Kiel admirably. Always a good actor, a part of this character is peculiarly suited to Mr Collier. He has a good presence, for one thing, and in acting no less than in oratory, that is a material advantage. MMiew Moniew was represented by Mr Holloway, in whom there is a marked improvement since he last performed before a Thames audience. Mr Aveling was an excellent old gentleman as M. Le Brun; and Messrs Sam Poole and Oily Deering, who were entrusted with the low comedy business of the piece, did themselves infinite credit, and did the audience no little amount of good by. causing the heartest merriment that perhaps any one of the mass had experienced since this funny couple were here last. A man was once known to observe that he ■ always considered he received hisjnoney's worth at a theatre if he was made to laugh heartily once during the performance. If there be any such moderate habitues of the Thames theatres, we may guarantee more than one hearty laugh for them whenever the nature of the play will give either Mr Sam Poole or Mr Deering a show. Miss Patty Holt had a minor part, but she made as much of it as Was possible. It would be unfair to conclude the present notice without specially, remarking upon the ■ acting of Miss j Maggie Knight, who performed the part of a bereaved mother—Little Mother, as she is' called," whosia husr j band falls amongst the many of the French army. The character is drawn with no ordinary power and feeling,, and Miss Knight personated it in a manner which speaks much for her progress in j the profession to which she has devoted herself. The Little Mother only appears in one act, but in that act it is the principal j character. Mrs Jones as Madame Casandre played well, and the remaining parts were also well played, everybody being letter perfect in their parts. The first night of the season was in every respect a success. To-night the " Wandering Heir " will be produced.