THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10309, 30 March 1894, Page 6

THEATRE ROYAL .

AS YOU LIKE IT. The Theatre • Royal was crowded last evening, when the Howe-Spong Company produced Shakspere’s comedy As You Like li. The play was staged in a manner which reflects the highest credit on the management, and it is safe to -say that seldom, if ever, has it been essayed-here by a more even company than that which ■produced it last evening. The scenery from the brush of such an artist as Mr W. B. Spong was expected to be good, but tbe audience was scarcely prepared for the magnificent sight which met its gaze when the drop scene rose on the forest of Arden in the second act, and would not be satisfied until the artist had bowed - his acknowledgments. The play was certainly a treat, and tbe enthusiastic applause which frequently interrupted the performance showed that the efforts of the actors were.-thoroughly appreciated. The whole of the principal characters were in able hands, and the minor parts bore evidence qf having been well rehearsed; Of course,-the central figure was Miss Hilda Spong in the role of Rosalind, and there can be no doubt that she scored an unqualified success. She acted with a- charming grace, and in a thoroughly natural manner. In the first act her appeal to the duke, when he pronounces the sentence of banishment upon her, was particularly fine, while in the later scenes her coyness and the archness of her manner, more especially in her love scenes with Orlando, were admirable. Her delivery of the epilogue at the conclusion was the crowning act of a splendid impersonation. Miss Ida Gresham, who took the part of Celia, looked the character, both as the princess and afterwards as the shepherdess, and supported Miss Spong efficiently right through the piece, coming in for a good share of applause. Miss Edith Barrow, as Phoebe, and Miss Anstead, as Audrey, also filled their respective parts well. Mr Cathcart’s Jaques was a study throughout, and the veteran actor added further to his laurels, his delivery of “ the seven ages of man ” being very fine. Mr Fabart, as Touchstone, tbe “court fool,” was extremely good. Though patting the necessary humour into tho part, he avoided any tendency to buffoonery. As tbe love-sick swain, Orlando, Mr Howe made the most of the character, and Mr Greenaway was fairly successful as the Duka, as was also Miss Fitzmauiica Gill as La Beau; and tbe other characters were in capable hands. The orchestra, under Mr Cocsidine, discoursed some exceptionally good musio during the evening. This evening, when the company will make its last appearance during the present season, tho domestic drama. Easel, will be produced.