THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2100, 16 November 1880, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

" Shin Fane,” Tho curiosity evinced by the playgoers of Christchurch to witness the debut amongst us of a new star was amply proved last night by the excellent house which greeted Mr Q-rattan Biggs. The very hearty welcome lasting for some minutes which was accorded to the new aspirant for public honor on making bis appearance must have also been gratifying to him. Of the piece itself, it may be said that it combines in a remarkable degree all the incongruities and improbabilities which have long been tho main feature of that class of drama known as Irish. Why wo should be content to accept—as evidently is the case—this state of things is a conundrum in matters dramatic, but so it is. 11 Shin Fane ” has, it is true, many redeeming points but there are parts of it—notably the scene on board ship in the third act —which are somewhat wearisome. It affords considerable scope for the display of the powers of the scenic artist and mechanist, the former of which was amply taken advantage of by Mr Willis, who gave us some very pretty scenery indeed, especially that of the ruined abbey. Of the powers of Mr Biggs as an exponent of essentially Irish character, it is impossible to speak too highly. He has a natural, easy way with him which at once established him as a favorite with his audience. He makes his points without straining after effect, and acts so naturally that he appears not to be acting at all. Ho was especially good in the scene where he disguises himself as the simpleton. Here his assumption of the utter vacuity of intellect, brought out into stronger relief by the quick bye play when contriving the release of Ellen Curran, was a very fine piece of acting indeed. So throughout the piece he brought out in bold relief the traditional stage character of the natives of the Emerald Isle, viz., loyalty to his friend and master, and a proclivity to love-making on the smallest provocation. Taken as a whole, the first appearance of Mr Biggs was a decided success. Mrs Walter Hill, as the persecuted heroine, ployed as she always does, with care and dramatic force. Miss Bessie Vivian had a part that suited her exactly, and she shared with Mr Biggs tho honours of the evening. The other lady characters were fairly filled. Mr Burford made a e very good Pierce Curran, though the part does not afford much scope, and Mr Clinton as usual revelled in the character of the villain of the piece. Mr Musgrave had little to do except to continually alternate between lamenting for the loss of his son and making extravagant protestations of joy when he found him, which he managed exceedingly well. Mr Kennedy played a dual port, of which he made a great deal. The other characters do not call for any specific notice, ae they were merely subsidiary to the principals. The piece will be again played to-night, when no doubt one or two little defects inseparable from the first night of a new piece will disappear.