THEATRE ROYAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9290, 16 December 1895, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL.

"DANDY DICK." After the sorrow and trouble and the seamy side of human nature of which " The Second Mra Tanqueray" is so remarkable an exposition, "Dandy Dick," with its healthy fun and true comedy incidents, came as a welcome relief. The piece is excellently constructed, all the incidents happening naturally, and the characters were also well drawn. Nothing has been better done, for instance, than the part of the Dean of St. Marvels, a character which stands out with much distinctness in the dramatic picture. Mrs Brough showed how clever an actress she is by the versatility whioh enabled her to give ns so faithful a portraiture of the sporting widow, who is "hail fellow well met" with the jockeys and betting men, and who runs a horse under the name of Mr Tidd. From first to last Mrs Brough played the part with a truth to nature and a vivacity which made it go immensely. Miss Temple and Miss Hardy, as the two daughters of the Dean, were excellent, more particularly in the scene where they confess to the large amonnt of their liabilities. Miss WattTanner made a good deal of the part of Hannah Topping, and was very good in Ihe scene where the Dean finds himself in the lockup. Mr Titheradge was excellent in the part of tbe Dean. Nothing could be more true to nature than his impersonation, and throughout Mr Titheradge shewed how excellent an actor he is. Mr Brough's Constable was the essence of rural stupidity, and his acting throughout was exceedingly clever. Mr Boucicaulfc gave us another evidence of his wonderful cleverness in the art of make-up. No one could have suspected that the mercurial Frenchman in " The Amazons" and the old servant in the piece under notice was one and the same actor. It was a very clever piece of acting from first to last, and, alike iv make-up and impersonation, Mr Boucicault was remarkably good. Mr Dorrington and Mr Bindloss impersonated the military men of tbe piece, and. tho remark of Mrs Georgina Tiid after dinner, "Here come the waxworks," was noticeable from its point and entire applicability. To-night, to the regret one is certain of the playgoers of Christchurch, the all too brief season of this clever company comes to an end. It is not often in this remote portion of the world that we get such really clever acting of up-to-date pieces, and the regret is that the other engagements of Messrs Brough and Boucicault compel them to close their season here after so short a visit. One can only hope that they will ere long come again amongst us. They have now fully established themselves as prime favourites, and whenever they come they will find the Christchurch people only too glad to welcome them and give them a right royal reception. "Niobe" ia the piece chosen for the farewell appearance of the company.