THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3692, 15 May 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Miss Juno's Company. There avus only a moderate attendance at the Theatre Royal last night to witness the product".m by Miss Juno's dramatic companyof the romantic Scotch drama " Jeannic Deans." No doubt tho coldness of the weather kept many away, but despite this the second seats and pit Avere Avell filled. Taking the performance in it entirety, it avus a decided improvement o\-er that of the opening night. Tho orchestra avus also iv much better "foim," ancl played a number of operatic airs and Avaltzcs very avcll indeed. Tlic mounting of the piece, ancl the stage arrangements generally, reflected much credit on the management. "With respect to the acting' it is perhaps hardly necessary to say that Miss Juno in the title role Avas the life ancl soul of the drama. Her every Avord and action served to illustrate how thoroughly she had mastered the part, and from first to last she maintained closely the interest of her audience in the simple yet brave-hearted Scotch girl who loved her sister much but truth and duty more. Miss Juno possesses a clear penetrating voice, eminently suited to the character she has chosen for portrayal, and over it she has wonderful control. Her dramatic action is also of a very forcible type, and never degenerates into anything approaching rant". Mr AY. Marshall gave a. very capable representation of the old Puritan farmer Davie Deans and cai.ied more tlinn one round of appplause for his careful ading. His elocution iv the scene at tho end of the first act, where he curses hiscrringdaughtor, Avas marked Avith considerable force Avithout any undue straining after effect. His acting in the subsequent scenes avus also above the average, and Avould have done credit to a more experienced artist. Tho Laird of Dumbicdykcs found an able exponent in Sir Lachlan McGoAvan. His conception of the character Avas about the best avc haA-c oaxt seen. Every point in the dialogue avus skillfully hit off, and the humour of the character avcll maintained throughout. It is needless to say that Mr McGowan's Scotch Avas pure and unadulterated, a remark Avhich avc could Avish might apply to other members of the company, some of Avhom gave a veritable " hotch-potch " of indifferent Scotch and still mnu'c indifferent English. Mr E. B. Russell, in the double part of counsel for the defence and the Duke of Argylc, appeared to good advantage. Miss Grecnlees was fairly effective as Eflic Deans, and Miss Featherstone as Queen Caroline acted Avith becoming dignity. Mr AVhittiiig, as ShnrpithiAv, Avas decidedly "stagey," as Avas also Mr Dillon, Avho essayed the part of Gcorgic Roberston. The "make up" of the latter Avas, to say the least, incongruous. Tho remaining characters call for no special mention. To-night " The Green Bushes, or Ireland a Hundred Years Ago," Avill be the attraction, Avith Miss Juno in the role of Miami, the Avild huntress. A private special train leaves Hastings this evening ancl to-morrow evening, returning after the performance.