"THE LIBRARIAN."

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7179, 3 June 1885, Page 3

"THE LIBRARIAN."

To-nierht " The Librarian," known as " The Private Secretary " in London, where it has achieved an extraordinary measure of popularity, will be produced for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Mr George Leitch assuming the character of the Rev. Robert Sparerib, which he has mado peculiarly his own. We adverted in yesterday's issue to the nature of " The Librarian," and tiie qualities that have secured for it such a remarkable success, not only in England, but in Germany, where it originated. The following, from the Hobart Mercury, testifies to the manner in which the performance by the present company has been received in this quarter of the globe: — "The Theatre Royal was crowded last night from floor to ceiling by an audience which must have been very gratifying to Mr George Leitch, who made his seventh and last appearance, for the present, in that inimitable creation of his— the Rev. Robert Sparerib. Every available corner in the theatre had more than its quota of occupants, and many had to content themselves with a corner view of a little bit of the stage. The vice-royal box was occupied by his Excellency the Governor, with his private secretary (the Hon. John Wallop). Aa 'The Librarian' was proceeded with the first glimpse of the Rev. Sparerib in Macdonald's chambers was greeted with rounds of applause. The comedy was just as amusing and just as absurdly ridiculous as on its many previous representations. The hardships of the unfortunate divine were again the source of infinite amasement, while he was applauded to the echo for his rendition of ' The good young man who died ; ' and by the kind aid of some sympathisers in the gfllery, it ' rained buns ' once more to his heart's content." Its final performance in Wellington last week was witnessed by a brilliant audience, which included his Excellency Sir William Jervois, to whom it evidently afforded the keenest enjoyment. The curtain will rise tonight at 8 o'clock, arid the performance will terminate at 10.30.