“MY SWEETHEART.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9492, 14 August 1891, Page 2

“MY SWEETHEART.”

The Tuam street hall is not the most suitable place in the city for dramatic performances, and no doubt the first production of My Sweetheart last night suffered somewhat from this fact. The audience, however, was evidently highly pleased, and the applause, accordingly, was very enthusiastic. The plot of the piece is of a very flimsy and highly improbable character, and the dialogue would be improved by consider able condensation. The central figure in the play, as performed by the Company, is Tony Pauet, impersonated by Mr Charles J. S, Palmer. This artist possesses a tuneful and sympathetic voice, sweet but powerful, and he manages it very skilfully. He is quite at home, too, on the stage, and has a very taking style of acting. The other characters are altogether subsidiary, but those who sustained, them contrived to give to each its appro-* priate individuality. Miss Lillie Clitherow, as the heroine, was lively and natural, and came in for her share of the applause. Miss Bessie Vivian was herself as the “Boss of the house.” Miss Edith Leech had a thankless roZe, which she played with much quiet force. Mr Harry A. Gribben burlesqued the part he was cast for; it lost nothing, but rather gained favour from the audience on that account. Mr J, B. Steele, as the “friend of the family,” played with his old ease of manner and correct taste. The first act was made specially pleasing by the introduction of a number of children, who evidently enjoyed the fun as much as the spectators did. The play was well mounted, and the scenery was decidedly pretty. My Sweetheart will be repeated this evening, when it will be well for the public to be in their places in good time.