THEATRE ROYAL.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 3011, 11 December 1879, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

"Pink Dominos," an Eugliah transcription of a French work, was produced at the thentrclastuighttoa thin house. Thecomedy is slender in construction, common-place in its dinlogue, and associated only with that kind of wit which is evolved from drunken pautomituo and those complicated misunderstandings that demand amusing explanation!". In tho hands of amateurs it would he likely to prove a failure, for so much acopo is allowed for a display of vcrsatilo acting and by-play that, unless the leading inombcrs of tho Company arc well litted by professional training for tho task, the most effective situations will fail in their intended effect upon tho audience. Although considerably modified in detail it still bears evidence of its relationship to tho modern French drama. A distinctive colour of suggestiveness is given to the wholo comedy," but then so artfully is this contrived that nothing is discerned of an absolutely indecent character. The costuming is irreproachable, the language cannot be seriously objected to, but signilicant nods, winks and looks can detormino its purport more eloquently than verbal explication. The plot is simple. A discussion arises between two fashionable ladies as to the respective social virtues of their husbands, and as ono of them looks up to her partner as tho impersonation of manly rectitude, while the other is a pronounced pessimist so far as the married portion of the male sex is concerned, a mutual conclusion cannot be arrived at. In order to settle the matter tho ladies rcsolvo to forward anonymous notes to their husbands inviting each of them to escort a disguised inamorata to a masquerade at Cremorno Gardens, the mark of recognition in both cases being a piuk domino. Clotilda, tho hypocritical little waiting maid of one of the Indies is also desirous ot enjoying herself, and knowing that there is in tlio house aeostumo which will suit the occasion, by the sumo means makes a similar assignation with her mistress's nephew. The goiitlcmcn take the bait and duly make their appearance at Cremorno, whither also a vcnorablo but amorous uncle, seizing advantago of Ins wife's abscneo from home, gjos with a gay and festive maiden. The hull of the refreshment rooms is tho scone of the subsequent situations. The gentle, meneeckplcasant little tcte-a'-tetes with their partners, and from this point the fuu commences. In accordance with a preconcerted programme the husbands of the two ladies are informed that they are wanted. During their absence the ladies escape, and when the gentlemen return of course tho birds have flown. Clotilda meanwhile has quitted her escort, and enoounters first one and then the other of the searchers. Inflamed by champagne she readily permits them to kiss her, aud surprises them further by her capacity for liquid refreshment. The nephew, disappointed in his quest, meets successively his two aunts, and subsequently his inebriated uncle, who is intent upon making a like search. These unexpected meetings supply the material from which the humour of the piece is drawn.. Tho unravelling of the complicated wob of mystery which is the result of the night's revelry, the presence of three piuk dominos, and the discovery of many familiar faces forms the third act, and with it the comedy ends. Miss Alice Lingard and Miss M. Melrose sustained the parts of the two curious ladies very siiccessfuly, while Mr Lingard aud Mr Craig effectively impersonated the husbands. Mr Leopold as the ancient relative, Mr Warner as the nephew, Mrs Fitzwilliam as Aunt Babb, and Miss Leopold as Clotilda the maid, also gave very happy representations of their several loles. The afterpiece was "Pluto," an operatic extravaganza based upon the fanciful mythological story of Orpheus aud Kurydicc. Tho misc en scone was very creditable indeed, the singing good, and the dresses varied and grotesque, while the dialogue was studded with bon mots, puns, and local allusions. Miss Lingard appeared as Eurydice, Miss Melrose as Orpheus, Miss Leopold as Aristous, and Miss Quinn as Apollo, while Mr Lingard enacted the part of Pluto, Mr Leopold that of Proserpine, Mr Craig that of Charon, and Mr Warner that of Clotilda. The programme will be repeated to-night.