THEATRE ROYAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3803, 6 May 1891, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.

The production of Mrs Franois Hodgson Burnett's charming drama, "Little Lord Fauntleroy," in the Theatre Royal last evening, by the Dobson-Kennedy Company, whs witnessed by a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The piece was mounted in perfect style, and everything passed off without a hitch. The plot of "Little Lord Fauntleroy" 'is so well-known that reference to it is quite unnecessary. The piece is charming in its simplicity, free from the slightest trace of vulgarism, and of such a character as to appeal to the emotional nature of all. The acting of little Ruby Kennedy, a child of seven years of age, was so perfectly natural and so fascinating throughout, despite the fact,that she was suffering from a severe cold, as to stamp her as a wonder in herself. Her impersonation of the character of Lord Fauntleroy would be: hard to beat. 3he is the life and soul of the whole piece—a perfect little marvel. The affection displayed by her towards her mother, Mrs Errol, whose husband (a son of the Earl or Dorincourt) is dead, is pleasing in the extreme, and her submission to the will of her grandfather to become "Lord Fauntleroy" as affecting as it is childlike. The other characters are all taken with credit to the various performers. Miss Idrene Thornton, as Mrs Errol, (the mother of Lord Fauntleroy), interprets her part in such a gracefully - charming manner as to win the highest encomiums of all. As an adventuress Miss Lily Hill scored a positive success. She pourtrayed her character in a wonderfully faithful manner. Mr Collet Dobson, the "Earl of Dorincourt," aoted his part perfectly, whilst Mr Frank Thornton, his solicitor, could not have been better represented. Mr J. J. Kennedy, the rough and ready New York grocer, although taking a minor part, evoked roars of laughter and applause by his clever acting, and Mr W. H. Cowan, the boot blaok, was likewise a marked success. Every other character was thoroughly well sustained, that of the- Irish- servant being filled to the letter by Mrs W. E. Jermyn, the whole performance being one of the most fascinating that has, ever been produced in Masterton. The applause.needless to, say,was frequent and hearty, the principals being called before the curtain at the conclusion of each aot. The dresses were very much admired by the female portion of the audience, whilst the scenery was capita). We regret that the space at our disposal precludes our giving a more than condensed notice to this talented company,' but we are satisfied that the impression created last night will result in crowded houses during the remainder of their season.

The great sensational military drama, " Neck or Nothing," will be produced to-night, to conclude with the laughable comedy, " O'Callaghan on his Last Legs."