THEATRE ROYAL.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2601, 19 August 1878, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

PRODUCTION OF . " FORSAKEN."

ONLY those who have themselves experienced the difficulties of a dramatic critic's position can realise how pleasant it fs to be able to sit down, 'without a doubt upon one's mind, and speak in terms of unqualified, approbation of a new actor or a iie.w piece. The taste of the people of; Auckland passeth understanding, but if -the melodrama, "Forsaken," produced ati the Theatre on Saturday evening, fails to tickle their palates, we-give them up as a bad job, and recommend Mr DeLias to do the same. "Forsaken" is a play of the same stamp as " After Dark," and the ■ 'Streets of Loadbn." Like them its plot is more remarkable fer 'strength than probability, the characters are all of a very pronounced type,: and it depends greatly on its scenery. Everything has been done for the drama that liberality and artistic ability could accomplish. It i 3 excellently mounted from first " to" last, .and the sensation scene, which seems to be a wonderful piece of stage carpentering, would not disgrace j the the stage of the Adelphi or the Princess's. Mr Holmes, the scenic ■ artist was . sum-' moned four times tof receive the congratulations of the audience, who applauded uproariously each fresh set. Thelastscene of all —Willesden church by moonlight—is alone well worth a visit to the theatre, and the exteriors of the Royal Exchange and Foundling Hospital are also well designed and effective. Scenery alone, however, did not secure the triumph achieved on Saturday night. The acting throughout was remarkably good; in fact the company have seldom appeared to greater advantage. Mr Dillon as the half-cracked, half-starved, but wholehearted waif, carried the sympathies of the audience with him from the first. He has a fine part, and makes the most of it. The ■stern, unforgiving father, Goldfinch Granger, was capitally represented by Mr Musgrave. His remorse in the second act was almost painful in its realism, and we iiave seldom seen ■ a finer piece of tragic actingjgjin the colonies than his lit of ghost haunted terror. Mr Steele had not a very good part, but played it well. Mr Ernmett kept the house in roars during the second act, and well deserved the constant applause which fell to "iis share. The ruffian, Bill Jenkins, was excellentJy impersonated by Mr Burford, whom we congratulate on having achieved a genuine hit;. Mr O'Brien made the beat of a disagreeable part, and Messrs Tyrrell and Mason doubled the small characters satisfactorily. Mrs "Walter Hill, as the bankers daughter Mabel, acted with all the power and finish to which she has accustomed us to, and Miss Fender was a pretty and interesting Philip. Susy Williams, the hospital nurse, found first rate representative in Miss Lizzie Morgan, who was enthusiastically encored for her rendering of " Home, sweet Home." Miss May made a charming little seamstress. The house was well filled, aud testified its satisfaction in the most uamistakeable manner. " Forsaken" will be repeated every night till further notice, and if good scenery and fine acting aie appreciated in, Auckland ought to have ft good run.