THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2688, 11 December 1871, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

..ABBAH-NA - POGUE." We are glad to be able to chronicle . Jtte success at the above place of amusetThe management deserve all praise fftlie really excellent manner in which !_» have lately placed the pieces on the Se. IteTSaturday night the "Marble tW." gave place to Dion Boucicault's Sated Irish drama of Arrah-Na-Pogue. is essentially sensational, but in fhebest meaning of the term, and in the which are highly picturesque and dfective, display the peculiar tact and thorough knowledge of stage business that EPems to be almost the exclusive property f> Mr Boucicault. Arrah-Na-Pogue «rved to introduce to a Christchurch audisn I risn comedian of more than ordinal merit, in the person of Mr Charles O'Bn'en. This gentleman is from Auckland, where bis talents seem to have been highly appreciated, and we doubt not but that he be equally popular in this town. The plot of "Arrah-Na-Pogue," or Arrah of the "kiss" (for an explanation of which term we recommend our readers to pay a visit to the theatre), though rather intricate in development is extremely simple. It is a gtory of the rebellion of '98. Beamish McCoul, an Irish gentleman, prescribed by, the Government, is in hiding in the cabin of Arrah Meelish, bis foster sister, betrothed at the opening of tMe play to fchaun the Post. The McCoul relieves Mr Michael Feeney, a procea server of some rents that he conceives to McCouTs property, which he gives as a marriage portion to Arrah; the money traced to her possession by Feeny, she is by him accused of participation in the robbery. Unable to vindicate herself without revealing the complicity of her foster-brother, and thus betraying him to the Government, Arrah remains silent, and is about to be borne off bjj» the military, when Shaun, who has unbounded confidence in her innocence, though unable to fathom the cause of her silence, proclaims that he is the real robber, and is seized, and subsequently, after trial oj a court-martial, condemned to death. The succeeding incideuts of the play arise from out of the foregoing circumstances. Beamish M'Conl proceeds to Dublin to give himself up and thus save Shaun's life; this example is followed by Fanny Power, a young lldy'with whom he is in love, also in the interests of Shaun and Arrah, and a third suppliant appears on the scene with a similar object in the person of Colonel CGrady, likewise a suitor for the hand; of Fanny Power.

An excellent scene is evolved by the characters all arriving at the same -time, but $9; object is gained and .O'Grady procures fgwun's pardon. Events, however, hurry on i Michael Feeny, of course in love with Arrah, and of course also" her bete noir fpshes forward his suit, the scene being a platform on the summit of the castellated WBpn where Shauh is confined. Shaun who to force himself out of the window of his prison, climbs r up the face of the fcjwer by means of the ivy growing on it, $nd reaches the platform in the nick of time to save Arrah from Feeny's importunate wooing, and at the same time disposes of |hat individual by pitching him from the battlements into the sea. " The O'Grady and the McCoul simultaneously arrive with Shaun's pardon, and the curtain falls upon a tableaux of general satisfaction. Mr O'Brien, as Shaun, proved himself a most competent representative of Hibernian character, and was equally i.t home in the humorous as in the pathetic phases of the character. Repeated bursts pfV well-earned applause testified to the appreciation of his efforts by the audience. £|iss Dolly Green, as "Arrah-Na-Pogue," played with her usual care, and gave a portrait of the impulsive loving Irish girl. We did not altogether like the i&Kebael Feeny of Mr Musgrave ; he was too pedantically demonstrative—his conception pf ihe character was very fair, but it was piarred by the peculiarities alluded to ; still he came in for a fair share of the applause. Mr S. Wolfe, as the O'Grady ; Mr White, as the Irish Secretarj of State; Mr Power, as .The McCoul; and Mr ! Thorhton, in the Idaa!; characters of the Sergeant and fWlßterbottom allflayed carefully and well, "iand contributed largely to the general success. We must not forget Miss Jennie Nye. 'who played Fanny Power with much vivacity,; and was as attractive as heretofore riiithat class of part. Mr Charles Massey ,'did good service in mounting the piece .with seme beautiful bits of Irish scenery, a jnpQ&light lake scene, being particularly "'effective, and his efforts were well seconded T>y Mrßqse, the mechanist, who displayed "thexesourcea of his art, in the skilful working but of the escape scene. Altogether is a great success, and 'ikotbughly deserving the support of the iChristchurch playgoers. To-morrow even"pg there will be a change of programme, t.fee occasion being the benefit of M. Achille * fflenrj, the spirited lessee of the Theatre, *wbe_ his Honor the Superintendent has signified his intention of being present.