THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2664, 13 November 1871, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

The attendance at the Theatre on Saturday nio-ht was rather slender, notwithstanding the attraction of a new piece. " Daddy Gray" is the title of a very excellently written drama, by Andrew Halliday, and fully sustains that skilful dramatic author s reputation. The plot, though simple, is very interesting ; and the subject appears to have been suggested by the pathetic Scotch ballad " Auld Robin Gray." # Peter Bell, a struggling artizan, in his difficulties is assisted by Daddy Gray, a retired tradesman. The latter's benevolence is prompted in the first instance by philanthropy, but a warmer feeling arises m his yreast for Jessie, the daughter of the recipient of his bounty. Unfortunately, Jessie s unable to reciprocate the passion of ier elderly admirer, having given her Srt to Harry Garden (a young miller), to whom she is engaged to be married. The young miller, however, is m temporary difficulties through the burning of his mill, and hS marriage with Jessie is postponed until KSi hie compensation from the comnanr with whom he had insured his mill. Scion is excited that the fire was the work ot an incendiary, and Harry is arrested, Sed and convicted of the crime. Daddy Gray has extorted from the gratitude snoulTher lover be convicted she shall beo hi* fDaddy's) wife, and Jessie s befweTn duty andlffection afford fino scope for effective acting. A wellworked ue^scene, where Jessie^consents ,to be 5Te wife of Daddy Gray, and Harry u> led aWin custody, terminates the first act. The second act developes the struggle in the oW man's mind, between bis affection fnr Jessie and a consciousness that he feels Zt actingau unworthy part in making her 111 the pnee of his benevolence to her j FatLf IF* salve to his conscience he pays £c expenses of Harry's defence, but m spite 3 able advocacy the latter is consigned to Portiand, «nd the second act terminates 2th * highly wrought scene of Jessie's des£«nd Daddy Gray's temporary triumph. pa SSthSdwt opens with Daddy Gray and T • .« SSdinir daV. Just before the cereKSs. D s y asr && -ss

lovers and so brings the piece to a happy termination. Miss Dolly Green, as the heroine, Jessie, played with tenderness and feeling, and succeeded in eliciting the applause of the audience. Mr Musgraye was very happy in Daddy Gray, and exhibited a nice discrimination in his realisation of the character. His endeavor to reconcile his inclination with his duty, displayed some fine touches of acting, and stamped him as a very genuine artiste. The serious portions of the play were enlivened with the love passages of Kitty Clatterby (Miss Herberte,) and Augustus Jinks (Mr A. White,) both excellently played. The subordinate characters enacted "by the company call for no especial mention. The performance terminated with a farce. To-night, "Daddy Gray " will be repeated.