Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3115, 11 February 1879, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

- The pieces placed on the boards of this place of amusement last erening by Mr Hydes' talented company were a pretty little burletta called "The Loan of a Lover " and the great burlesque. extravaganza "La Somnambula." There was a very good house. In the first^iece Mr Hydes performed in the role of the phlegmatio Swiss, Peter Spark. His make up was good and his acting very realistic. Miss Jennie Nye played with great vivacity the part of Gertrude,, and in her usual taking manner sang a number' of songs incidental to the piece. Mr Harry Simmons highly amused the audience by his facetious rendering of the part of Swyzel, while Miss liiston and Mr Alexander made the most of the small parts intrusted to them. The representation was very successful, and formed a fitting prelude to the piectde resistance oi the evening. During the interval Miss Lizzie Morgan sang a pretty ballad and was encored to the echo. She responded by singing " Whip poor Will," a song in the rendition of which she excels," and with which she never fails to electrify a Thames audience, and at the conclusion the * applause was deafening. The curtain then rose on "La Somnambula," with the following caste:—Amioa,

Mr J. P. Hydes ; the Oount, Mr Wilkinson ; Liza, Miss Morgan ; Teresa, Miss Marian Liston ; "Virtuous Peasant, MrR. Lore; Notary, Mr Alexander ; Villager, Mr Mason; Alessio, Miss Alice Johns, Elyino, Miss Amy Johns. The chief point of the piece was undoubtedly the wonderful make up of Mr Wilkinson in the character of the Count. It is a part he has made his own, and any description falls far short of the reality. Suffice to say that while on the stage Mr Wilkinson kept the audience in a state of continual merriment. Mr Hydes as the sleep-walk-ing Amina was really good, and the audience applauded him to the echo. The of the Misses* Johns wat unexceptional. These ladies dress their parts most tastefully, and exert themselves to please the audience, and consequently during the two nights they have performed here have made a very favorable impression. Miss Alice Johns sang a pretty Anglo-German song, a la Emniet, and was rewarded with an encore. Miss Amy Johns also sang, and, as usual, pleased the audience. Miss Lizzie Morgan, as Liza, acted with her usual naivete" and piquancy. The minor characters were also well played, adding greatly to the success of the piece. Everything went srppdthly, and the audience were delighted, and at the conclusion of the performance Mr Hydes came before the cur lain. He said he was very "glad to see* them-^more' giad than they could imagine—and he sincerely thanked them for their patronage. When he said he was going to the Thames everyone said, "Don't go, Johnny, the place is dead, and you'll come back stone broke." He determined to come, however, and was heartily glad to say so far the warnings he had received were without foundation. He annoubced that this evening the full strength of the company would perform in the spectacular burlesque—" The Field of the Cloth of Gold," with all the original properties,and on Wednesday (to-morrow) evening, the company will give one and all -—big and small—a great treat in the production of the famous oomic Christmas Pantomime entitled '• Snow White." We can heartily recommend this show to the Thames public; it is undoubtedly the best burlesque company we have had here for years, and few comedial representations have excelled the efforts 'of < Mr Hydes' company in that line. In addition to the galaxy of actors, there is a splendid orchestra, whose music, both in overtures and accompaniments, is quite a treat to listen to. Messrs W. Hydes, Cope, and McComish are the musicians.