Theatre Royal.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 116, 19 May 1886, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

— -* The performance at the Theatre Boyal last night comprised Buxtons good old Adelphi farce "A Dead Shot," and Palgrave Simpson's and Herman Merrirale'e comedy "Alone." The double bill had the effect of attracting an exceedingly good houge, and it is not too much to say that the evening's entertainmont was unanimously voted ono of the befit this talented company has provided for its Wellington patrons. The old custom of prefacing the piice We resistance of the evening by a farce, has boon allowed (mores the pity) to die out, ond its revival for the nonce last night was quite refreshing. The principal feature in "A Dead Shot," as played last night, was the capital acting of Mis 3 Lucia Harwood, who by her vivacious *hd sparkling representation of Louisa Lovestruck, proved herself one of the best soubrette actresses we havo seen on 'the Wellington stage for some time past. She was enthusiastically applauded, and with the other performers, who all acquitted themselves well, enjoyed the honour of a recall on the fall of the curtain. The plot of "Alone" we have already given. The central figure in it is the bund Colonel Challice, who, as pourtrayed by Mr. Bignold, is a character involving deep study of human nature, and a very accurate and BkiJful diagnosis of the often conflicting emotions which sway the heart. No greater contrast than that between this character and the volatile Mortimer Mumpleford in "Confusion" could possibly be imagined, and yet good as Mr. Bignold was in the latter, we have no hesitation in awarding the palm to his performance of Colonel Challice. The feature of tho character upon which the actor's greatest pains had been bestowed, was the apparently inconsistent and yet eminently natural co-existence in the one man of a relentless sternness characteristic. *, of the Roman father, and a loving and for- • giving gentleness which conld spend its kindliest sympathy upon the trials and reconciliation of King Lear and CordeJ 1 ' a literary domestic picture which Colonel's 6wn experience so exactly ' We have only space to add th^^ of the character was,woM.'*nainT beginning tosendf^ana xha& v applause 'wbiah- f£ ce * <v*v '* Trevor 'yks^v of & jjjlf B-JtiUfl bligjrt ot v"'