THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8095, 11 February 1892, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

"THE FOOL'S REVENGE."

The play produced last night by Mr Walter Bentley possesses perhaps the strongest interest of any piece of its kind for the audience. The situations, plot, and the manner in which the author has elaborated the idea upon whleh the piece is founded form together a highly dramatic picture, one which the audience watch with the utmost interest as it passes before them. The Bertuccio of Mr Bentley is a marvellous character performance. The part itself is many-sided, calling as it does for the representation of two of the greatest passions which sway the human mind—love and revenge.—and Mr Beatley is to be congratulated upon the entire success which attended the pourtraytl of the character, though here and there, when he became excited, the accent was perceptible. He was at his best in the great scene with his daughter, where, throwing off the mask of the jester which he had assumed to further his scheme of revenge, he gives himself up to the pure delights of paternal love. This was finely elaborated by Mr Bentley, and proved, as was intended by the author, a splendid foil to the other side of the character, the butt and fool of the Court. Very grand waa Mr Bentley's pourtrayal of the dismay and astonishment with which Bertuccio learns that it was his own daughter that he has assisted to betray instead of the wife of his foe. The divided feelings which agitate him between the appearance of mirth to deceive his tormentors and the deep despair which overwhelms him were wonderfully powerfully given, and the last scene of all was thriliingly realistic in its effectiveness of dramatic arc. Though here and there the excitement of the scene and the sustaining of a most difficult role made Mr Bentley use his natural accent more than was consistent with the part, yet it cannot be denied that for powerful acting and the depicting of strong emotion we have had nothing here to equal his impersonation. Miss Hansen's Fordelisa was, as all her impersonations have been, charmingly natural and full of grace. She realised fully to one's mind the innocent daughter who implicitly obeys the commands of her father, and who is strong in her weakness when placed in a situation of great periL The part was a most excellent piece of natural acting throughout, and Miss Hansen has added yet another to her undoubted histrionic triumphs. Miss Deorwyn is to be congratulated upon having achieved a distinct success as the Duchess. The part was played throughout with a vigour, breadth of conception and dramatic effect which deserves praise. Miss Holbrookwas also very good indeed as Brigetta. Mr Alderson made a good Duke, and Mr Craufurd is to be congratulated upon his capital make-up and acting as JorellL Mr Greeaaway's Dell Aquilla was a very excel* lent performance. He spoke the speeches with well-judged elocution, and altogether was very good. Messrs L. M. Gowan, C. Holloway, and Stevens filled 7 their parts admirably. To-oight ■*• The Merchant of Venice, with Mr Bentley as Shylock and Miss Hansen as Portia will be played.