Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2987, 11 September 1878, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

There was another change of programme at the Theatre Royal last ' night,- when a drama, founded on the plaintive poem of the Laureate Tennyson, " Enoch Arden," was produced. It was the first time we had witnessed the play, which appears. to be a recent dramatisation of the worjr of Mr Tennyson. We do not even know who arranged the drama, but we can say that the principal incidents of the pathetic story are well represented, and the outlines of the. plot faithfully preserved. Mr G. D. Chaplin enacted the role of the hero—the much to be pitied Enoch Arden, and as a piece of strongly emotional' acting we have seldom seen i*s equal. The play is above criticism. Those who have read the poem can imagine what would be required of an actor to give life to' the poet's herb. Such as have not read the poem and who saw ■ the play,could not have, failed to.realise the excessively pathetic; heroic conduct of the self-denying Enochl Arden. 'Mr Chaplin gave life to thte character, and dropped his identity entirely, and some of the audience experienced considerable relief when the piece came to an end. As wai tersely remarked "it was too much like the real thing." This was perhaps the greatest compliment that could be paid to the actor. Mrs Walter Hill sustained the part of Annie Lee in a \ manner that showed her capability' of adapting herself to circumstances. Mrs Hill possesses a rare faculty of versatility. In tragedy, drama or comedy she is never at fault, and if at times she fails to reach the standard of expectation, she never disappoints one through want of application and patient study. She has attained to that position that she invests each character she portrays with an individuality peculiar to itself, and she possesses in a marked degree the "art to concer' art." Mr Steele very ably sustained the part of Philip Bay. It has not much in it to tax an actor's powers, but it is necessary ag an accessory to the plot, and Mr Steele was more than good. The other characters were fairly sustained, and the production was a great success, as was evidenced by the sympathies of the audience, visibly expressed. Miss Lizzie Morgan sang a charming ballad, and the performance, concluded with the amusing old farce, " A Kiss in the Dark," in which Miss Lizzie Morgan, Miss May, and Messrs Emmet and O'Brien were successful in amusing the audience. To-night Mr Chaplin will appear in that grand old comedy " The fcerious Family," and the equally popular trifle "Perfection." In the latter piece

Miss, Lizzie Morgan will appear as Kate Q'Brien,. a favorito character with all theatre We hope to see the stalls better filled than hitherto. There is a section of the Thames public that is scarcely aware of the merits of the present ".star " and company, as eyidenced by the empty seats i.i the stalls.