THEATRE ROYAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9155, 16 December 1891, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

i "AIIRAH-NA-POGUE." Mr Grattan Riggs and bis company prod need what is probably tlio best of Rouoioault's Irish dramas, "Arrah-na-Pogue," last night, to a good audience. Had the public been aware (bat such a capital representation of the play would have been given, the house would have been crowded from floor to ceiling. The play, though somewhat old, loses uoue of Us interest by lepctitiou, dealing as it does with the excitiug event* incidental to tho Irish rebellion, and illustrating v phase of character that is both instructive and amusing. The drama is interesting, for It contains many of those touches of nature which makes "the whole world kin " and it is more skilfully constructed than the majority of the sensational plays of the day. The dialogue is by no means prolix, and is quite snited to the nature of the events depicted, while the plot, if ! somewhat Improbable, has the merit of being full of incident and rapidly changing scenes. The chief personage of ths play, "Shaun tho Post," found an admirable representative in Mr Grattan Riege, whose ponrtrayal 01 tho engaging hero found much acceptance from the audience, who followed with great interest the changing fortune of the lighthearted Irishman who had Implicit confidence in the woman he loved, and who would sooner risk his life than have his newlymnde wife reproached with unmerited shame, Mr J. P. West gave an able delineation of the warm-hearted O'Grady, and folly deserved tho applause which frequently greeted his efforts. Mr R. Inman represented tin Irish gentleman, Beamish M'Conl, with care and fidelity, and his manly bearing won the approbation of the audience. Mr C. Berkley did tho villainy most effectively, and deserves great credit for a capable representation of the unthankful r6le of Michael Feeney, the process Berver and informer. Mojor Cofiiu found a capable representative in Mr Scott lnglis, and Mr Alexander made the most of the character of Oiny Farrell. Miss Maud Appleton made an engaging Arrah, and although tba brogue did not come " trippincly on the tongue," the undoubted talent of the actress compelled one to overlook the nir.eties of dialect. Miss Marcella Day was a capable Fanny Power, and Miss Cynthia Carey proved equal to the requirements of Kitty Walsh, and was deservedly applauded for her singing of "The Wearing of tho Green." The play was staged in a capable manner, and the varinna performers were honored with a recall at the end of each act. To-night a great double bill will be presented, comprising "The Irish Emigrant " and " Handy Andy," when there should be a bumper house to witness Mr Biggs in two of bta greatest impersona- , lions. I