THEATRE ROYAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 50417, 19 April 1878, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

" Les Dantcheff" at the Theatre Royal last night brought together an unusually large audience. Mr Sothern, as Ossip, the heroic serf who makes a sacrifice almost unparalleled in the annals of frail humanity, shewed himself as much a master of tragedy, as in his previous appearances, he had shewn himself of comedy. Had his prototype, tho true Ossip, been as bright, as dignified, and as passionate, Anna would, indeed, have been a marvel of constancy had she remained true to Vladimir Danicheff. Vladimir's part was remarkably effectively represented by Mr St. Lawrence. Mr Haygarth, as the French diplomatist, was not so much at home as in the parts of Squire Chivy or Asa Trenchard. Mr Keogh acted two parts, that of Father Andre and of Zakaroff the speculator, and did both of them well, especially the latter. Most of the other male parts were light. Mrs Fitz william's part was along and difficult one, and it would be ungenerous to criticise it severely. We cannot say, however, that we think it was a success. It may be quite en regie on the stage to pronounce each word as if it had a note of exclamation after it, or was written in

italics ; but it certainly spoils the general effect. Among the ladies, Miss Nye, as the Princesß Lydia Volanoff, certainly carried off the palm. The scene in which. she declines De Talde's light love , was rendered with much grace and dignity. Miss Willis, however, deserves the highest credit for the manner in which she acted the difficult part of Anna. The Russian costume and flaxen hair became her well. Miss Lawrence looked remarkably handsome in the magnificence of the Baroness Dozore, and did what she had to do satisfactorily. The comic element — which there might with advantage have been rather more of — was brought in by the Countess's poor relations. Miss M'lan, as Amfusa, was good. " Les Danicheff's will be repeated on Satnrday night.