THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9115, 28 May 1895, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

•' RANSOM." The Mostyn-Dalzeil Company opened their eeason last night at the Theatre Boyal id a drama of the purely melodramatic type, entitled "Ransom." Tne piece iteelf ia somewhat paichy, and is lacking in dramatic interest in parta. Still the principal characters were well filled as a whole. The Compauy ia more thau ordinarily strong in vocal talent, the songe given last night suns very artistically. Miss Mostyn as Tom made a" very excellent boy. Some actresses get into men's clothee, and the only chance mads is iv the matter of attire, bat with Miss Mostyn it is different. She for the time being "is the character she ia assumiag, and her Tom Ciiivera was a capital piece of character acting. She - has the fault of somewhat to« rapid enunciation, which marred her description of tho cup race in the firet act. But Mis 3 Mostyn throws a great deal of vivacity into her actiug, and never exaggerates. She saujt Jude'a setting of the old song '* Maid of Athens " very nijely indeed, and waa quite as successful in a composition of a totally different character, "At Night." Miss Mostyn thoroughly established herself as a favourite with the audience. Miss Nelly Eaynham created a highly favourable impression by her clever performance of the oppressed wife who through three acts is plunged into the deepest misery ouly to be made happy ia the fourth. She was particularly good in the scene with the villain, where he bargains for her husband's life. Miss Rvynham has a good mezzo-soprano voice, which sho ujes artistically, and ahe sang " Waiting" and " Espanita " very well indeed. Miss Clayton made the most of the part of Mrs Fitzgerald, but it seemed to be scarcely quite iv her line, and Miss Ethel Harborough did what was to be done with the somewhat inane part of Angelina. Mr Dalzeil was somewhat heavy and stiff in the part of Harold, giving one the idea that the character of a melodramatic villain would be more in his line than that of the much-tried hero. Mr Weir made a good Philip Marlett, and the other characters were well filled, especially that of Mr Fitzgerald by Mi- Meymotfc. Mr Blake sang " The Gauntlet" well, and Mr Meymott was exceedingly fanny in the comic song '* Same Thing." To-night" Humanity," a sensation drama, is announced, into which a number of new soug3 will be introduced.