THEATRE ROYAL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2117, 16 October 1875, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Mr De Lias, with a new and, if all reports be correct, a very efficient corps dramatique, opens the Theatre Royal this evening for a short season 1 of seven nights. Judging from all we have read of the fresh arrivals we are.inclined to expect something better, botl in the way of pieces and actors, than has been seen at the Thames for some time past. The management, if they keep to the same policy which characterised their successful season in Auckland,: will, play some really good pieces, some of which we believe to be well within their scope. We have no less than iive first appearances announced, two of whom may be considered as " stars " in the company—we mean of course Miss Carry George and Mr K. W. Lawrence. Miss Carry George makes her first appearance in the part " Leah," which Miss Bateman made her debut iv some ten years' ago—not

very successful, by the bye—at the Adelphi in London, and which she has since rendered very famous. There is a good deal to be said for as well as against the piece. The English stage critics were not particularly enamoured or'ft whea Miss Bateman first played the character, and we are ourselves disposed to think that a more judicious, selection might have been made for • the opening night. It has, however, undeniably much in it that is well worth seeing if well acted, and • we hope it will be in. every respect successful. As the number of nights is so limited, we anxiously wait to see what pieces will J be played. It is obvious that all tastes | cannot be gratified, but we must say we hope to see " School" placed on tbe stage, J and at the piece itself none will, we think, be disposed to cavil. We have read very favorable critiques of the way in which " Lost in London " was played, but the piece (likewise produced at the Adelphi) has-^-qr should hitve, or did 'Mye^'far more of scenic effect than is possible on such a stage as the Theatre Bbyal. The lovers of burlesque may hope, perhaps, for Kenilworth, the most successful— with the exception of Ixiori-—of all modern burlesques, and one which we have heard well spoken of as played by the present troupe.. Of our former visitors we have still Mr Sam Poole and Mr Collier. We shall miss Mr Deeringin old men's parts, and also that very •useful actor Mr Aveling. Miss; Knight's place in minor parts will be hard to fill more successfully than it was by her ; and Mrs Jones is certainly a loss to any piece requiring an old woman well enacted.