Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2989, 13 September 1878, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

•• Richelieu at the TbWl tre Royal last night, with Mr Chaplin in the role of the Cardinal Minister of France. la the range ofjmodern English diamatic compositions,' 'there lis] tsctfrctAy--a more critical, piece ( -,tfyan this, W a chavacfor th^denpuandfi deeper study! to render it properiyjhan that of Richelieu. { We have-see* jinany* e^ponentq pf^ tbe part, or many who iisijea ft 6 "portray the author's brilliant, conception of the part; some Rood, some better, and some indifferent. Mr Chaplin last .night, 1 eaclied a step above most we have se-^n. , Mr JTal bot's Richelieu we regarded as one of his best impersonations, but we are fain to con*, cede that Mr Chaplin comes nearer to the chaiacter than Mr Talbofc, ,It is a difficult role at any time, that of Richelieu, and requires more than the ordinary requirements of- stage < • accomplishments. Mr Chaplin' last night made. Richelieu a living character, and ;n the rcene where he throws round Julie de Mortemar. the protection, of the Holy Church, he was, really sublime. A criticism of tb.3 niceties of the piece we will' not attempt. !The career of the Cardinal Minister is a matter of h'istoiy, as also'are' many cf the incidents portrayed. Mr Chaplin may srore another success here, as much for his,able 'mpersonaticntuihis yers;it'Uty/Mrs Wai-" Or HH! was tha Jr'ie of,the pfey, and it is 1 most'needless to say she depicted, the heroic in a way that evoked the sj!m«> pail'cs of the audience. Mr Steelejasl De i'.'rnpfat wrs each bcL-ej. tha^ we hi»ye s:3n pthers ;n the jart, arid tbly aesisiod 'o ie success of.theplfty,. Miss Lizzie Mor£:n very ably filled the part of, I'lcncois, aid Mr Musgrave was caraful 1 correcj rs Joseph. TLa pfeca wa& in eveiy way a great success, md the aadk-nce tesffkd their appreciation by i..vqu:nt)>w_^.s of applau&j, Mr Chaplin

and' Mrs Hill being twice called before the curtain. It is due to the orchestra to state that last nigliti and every night since the season opened, seme excellent selections have been vlayed 'n capital style, under the leadership of Mr Cope, and we believe that in no place in New Zealand at the present lime has any community the advantage of seeing'such a company as that, playing at the Theatre Boyal. To-night Mr Chaplin takes a benefit, when Lord Lytton s comedy of " Money " ■wJH rbe produced. We sincerely hope a, good house will greet the beneficiaire and the play, for both are worthy of a big .house..