THEATRE ROYAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2100, 21 September 1885, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

A really excellent house greeted the New Zealand Comedy-Drama Company when the curtain rose to " East Lynne" at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, there being-.very few seats available. The drama ia one in which Miss Lizzie Lawrence appears to more than ordinary advantage. As a matter of course, she took the dual character of Lady Isabel and Madame Vine, and she delieuated the various emotions from the time she was the happy bride, through the gradual stages, when she first listened to the tempter, when she left her home, to her return in disguise, and her discovery on the death of her little son, with such faithfulness that every unexpressed motive seemed to become apparent, and there were few among the audience who were not frequently moved to tears. There are those who consider that" East Lynne" is maudlin, and that the character of Lady Isabel is overdone. We think that many a drama of the kind ia acted in real life, and that the author has succeeded in presenting a picture from one of them. If there, is anything maudlin about it, it will probably be found in the hearts of those who are moved to tears and cannot see the reason why. In her disguise as Madame Vine, Miss Lawrence had changed her appearance most effectively, and she. made the death scene of little Willie. most realistic. Mr Rede was jhorough master of his part, that of the villain, Sir Francis Levison, and Mr

Dillon was just the weak and too-easy-goiiif man that Archibald Oarlile is supposed to be. Miss Norris seems to be very successful when she disguises herself as an old vvomani ; and liar Cornelia was therefore a success/,; Equally good Was Miss Lena Robinson'as Barbara Hare, a character' in which she appeared to greater advantage than.in any other she has taken in Masterton. The other members of the company also acquitted themselves well. This evening the company playa again at Greytown, by special request, and tomorrow they return to Masterton and present the "Ticket of Leave Man," •which,, we think, should draw, another good house. It will be seen by reference to the advertisement that they will have the assistance of Miss Beaufort and. Messrs Foley, Berkley, and 6. Coker,