Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3116, 12 February 1879, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

There was again a large and appreciative audience at the Theatre lioyal last evening to witness the performance of the comedietta " Who Speaks First," and the burlesque extravaganza " The Field of the Cloth of Gold," by Mr Hydes' talented company. In the comedietta Mr Hydes sustained the principal character—Capt. Charles—and rendered a skilful representation of the part. Mr Wilkinson performed in the love comedy part of old Potter, and kept the audience highly ninused. Miss Alice Johns made a pretty Mrs Militant, and Mr Alexander and Miss Amy Johns made the most of the parts assigned to them. At the fall of the curtain the audience testified their appreciation of the play by loud applause. Mr IL Love came before the curtain and sang a motto song entitled "All that glitters is not gold." This gentleman

possesses a fine voice, and at the conclusion received an encore, to which lie responded by singing a comic song, /ihe curtain then rose on Jhe " Field of the Glo'h. of Gold." This extravaganza was exceedingly well mounted, and caused uproarious merriment. It is a burlesque founded on the historical meeting of the English " Bluff King Hal " and Francis I. of France. \Mr Love performed in the role of King Hal, and both looked and played the part. Mr Alexander as Francis gave a very successful representation, and sang a song—"The Vagabond"—in first class style. In the mock tournament between the two kings mounted on hobby horses the audience was convulsed, the very absurdity of the affair being sufficient to cause great amusement. Every now and then the two magnates would quarrel, and then commence punching each others heads, immediately afterwards cementing eternal amity by embracing. Mr Simmons' make up as Sir Guy the Cripple was also another fruitful source of merriment, and the Tete dv Beau of Mr Wilkinson took well with the audience. Mr Hydes, in the role of Queen Catherine, bad little to do, —that little appearing to be to check the forwardness of " Miss A. 8.," i c., Annie Boteyn (Miss Lizzie Morgan). The Misses Johns and Miss Nye danced acid sang, and came in for a fair share of applause; and we must not forget to accord a word of praise to Miss Liston, who play ed the part of the Earl of Suffolk. Daring the burlesque Mr Love sang a parody on "Castles in the Air," and Misses Alice Johns and Jenny Nye delighted the audience with the: song "Beautiful Isle of the Sea." A song and dance by Miss Amy Johns, "Where the flowers blush and bloom," was encored. The audience were evidently as highly pleased as on the previous night, and the merit of the company deserve a continuation of the liberal patronage hitherto accorded them. TO-NIGHT. To-night will be performed the comic pantomime of " Snow White," which, judging by critiques in Auckland and southern papers, excels any of the other efforts of the company. Many of the incidents arc localised, and we understand that a local member of the police force is immortalised in a song. Those who with to enjoy two or three hours' hearty fun should visit the theatre to-night, and, bring their little.ones with. them.