THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9281, 5 December 1895, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

" AN IDEAL HUSBAND."

That Christchurch playgoers were glad to welcome once more amongst ua the artistic company under the direction of Messrs Brough and Bouoioaulb was amply shown last night, nob only by the large audienoa which assembled, but the enthusiasm with whioh each of* the principals were received, an enthusiasm which was accentuated by its heartiness and spontaneity. Considerable discussion has been going on during the past few days on the subject of what comprises an ideal husband, therefore the opening piece oame very apropos. Speaking of the play itself, we have not had on our stage one in which the modern style of smart repartee and dialogue, given under circumstances of perfect naturalness, is better or more artistically illustrated than ia the play under notice. In place of tbe turbulence of action which was considered essential for the success of the play iv the oldeu time, we have the quiet intensity of the different phases of life bared, as it were, to the gaze of the audience, who see a tragedy which threatens to wreck the peace and honour of a home unfolded with that Bileut but relentless force whioh is emblematic of the Nemesis which is expressed in those words pregnant with wisdom "Be sure your sin will find you out." Here is the key note of the piece. The sin of his youth rises to confront Robert Chiltern when all is fair with him, the remoiseless expiation which is demanded of him is rendered far more difficult, nay impossible, by the fact that his wife has placed him on a pedestal. The plot is finely worked out, the principal characters being drawn with a master hand, whilst into the main thread of the narrative ia woven touches of human interest, such as the artless love of Mabel, the insouciance of Lord Goring, and the strong conservatism of his father. The dramatic alimax of each act, or perhaps more atriotly speaking, the phase which the story has reaohed is worked out with consummate skill, and the interpretation of the situations—which is all essential to their success —is equally admirable. So much for the play, which has a fascination for one stronger than any other. As to the interpretation, there can be but one opinion, viz., that it was perfect. The various members of the Company one and all fill the parts as if they were actually the people they represent, and the result is that we get a triumph of that art whioh conceals art. Mrs Brough gave us a powerfully conceived and most admirably pourtrayed representation of the unscrupulous adventuress. The part is a difficult one to play, as the sympathies of the audience are strongly against it, whilst there is also considerable temptation to overdo a character which is a pourtrayal of a nature degraded and fallen. Aire Brough showed what a true artist she is iv that in the face of these difficulties she scored a decided success in the part. Her scenes with Mr Titheradge in the first act; that too in which she lays bare to the horrified wife the true character of her husband and destroys her ideal; and, lastly, that very powerful and dramatic scene with Mr Brough, where she is foiled of her revenge, were all parts of a most artistic dramatic picture presented by Mrs Brough with a completeness and power which makes her impersonation of the character worthy to rauk with her Paula Tanqueray. The warm enthusiasm with which she was greeted at the end of the acts showed the high appreciation ot the audience. Miss Faber, who made her debut here, created a most favourable impression in the part of Lady Chiltern. She has good stage presence, the rare faculty of repressed power and intensity, and also a careful attention to the details of a part which go so far to make up the success of the whole. Miss Faber had a very trying ordeal iv making the acquaintance of a new audience in a part requiring 10 much artistic power as the one under notice, but sho succeeded admirably, and at onoe made herself deservedly a favourite with the audience. - Her scenes with Ml Titheradge, more particularly the one in which she learns of that sin of his youth which has risen to confront him, were very dramatically given. There waa throughout these trying and difficult scenes a quieb power which, whilst giving due force to the situation, never exceeded. This was par* tioularly notioeable in the soene with Mrs Cheveley, where she forbids her the house. Altogether Miss Faber is to be heartily congratulated on her success. Miss Hardy was .charming as Mabel Chiltern, the part being played with just that toupeon of | aa'uciness whioh made it so enjoyable. Miss 1 Watt Tanner as Lady Markby, Miss Temple as Mrs Marchmont, and Miss Hill as Lady i Basildon, were also very good indeed. jMr Titheradge'a performance as Sir Robfc. Chiltern teas a wonderful piece ol acting, in that it was ao true to life, and so natural, that one entirely forgot that it was acting, and became as deeply engrossed and interested as though it were real life. The force and intensity which Mr Titheradge infused into the scene* with his wife and the woman who held his fate in her hands, made his pourtrayal ol this really fine character quite a study. He brought out into strong relief the key note of the character, viz., Chiltern*- deep love for his wife and his bitter- regret for the sin which had come between them. Nothing finer has been seen oh our stage than the scene between Mr Titheradge and Misr Faber, where the former feels that his hopes are blasted and his life ruined. Mr Brough waa excellent) as Lord Goring. Tbe epigrammatic language of the play was given by him with a force and piquancy that made each line tell, whilst he most forcibly brought out that phase of the character which showed him to be a loya? friend. The scene with Mrs Cheveley, in which he gets the letter, was most excellently played throughout. Mr BouoicauU gave ua another exposition of his ability .as a character actor. The old autocrat, who is pessimistic as to everything, was hit off with considerable power and success, and Mr Boucicault filled in this portion of th« dramatic picture with rare ability, lite other parts, especially Mr Molntyre aa Phipps, were excellently filled. The sets were exceedingly pretty, especially that in the third act, and all the details of stage furnishing and effects were given with that finish whioh is characteristic of the. management. The orchestra, under Mr Diedrichsen, played some good musio during the evening. For to-night -'The Case of Rebellions Susan " is announced.