THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12986, 29 November 1902, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

“ SAN 1 TOY.” The Williamson Musical Comedy Company put on its first change of programme last night, when the musical play, “ San Toy,” was staged. “San Toy ” approaches nearer to comic opera proper than does the average musical comedy of the day, and as such it provided a welcome variety. It lacks the brisk and audacious humour of “ Tile Runaway Girl,” but, musically, it is infinitely superior, whilst the staging and dressing are as gorgeous as the most satiated playgoer could demand. So far as the production itself is concerned, the piece gives very little scope for distinctive characterisation, and with a company markedly strong in this direction and equally markedly weak in the matter of singing, as singing, this is a little unfortunate. Absolutely the most is, of course, made of what opportunities the piece does offer, but a number of clever 'artists are quite wasted upon tho minor chances of the play. Mr Fred ■Graham’s Li is a satisfactory performance, though from its very limitations it at once challenges comparison with his exhilarating “Flipper.” Miss Rose Musgrove, in the title role, is probably the most satisfactory member of the cast, her singing, her dancing and her general appreciation of the character being nice in the literal acceptance of the word. Miss Lillian Diggcs is as graceful and as insinuating as ever in the part of Dudley, and she emphasised the daintiness and delicacy of her previous performance by one sustaining those same characteristics in a marked degree. Mr Arthur Crane sings nicely as Captain Bobby Preston, and Mr Claude Bnntock makes a humorous and commendably impassive Yen How. Mr Maurice Dudley struggled fairly successfully with the part of Sir Bingo Preston, but Messrs Charles Troode, A. Lissant, George Lyding and Fred Leslie, who represent at least a moiety of the strength of the company, had but small and ineffective parts to play. The same remark applies to the ladies outside of those already referred to. There were some pretty concerted numbers, some lovely scenic effects and dressing, and not a little admirable fooling, but the intrinsic limitations of the piece really prevented Mr Williamson’s clever company being seen at its best. This reproach is, of course, only a matter of comparison, for even “ San Toy ” is a long way ahead of the average musical comedy presented in Christchurch. “ The Runaway Girl” has so impressed her charming individuality upon both gods and circle that she has really left little room for her successor in their hearts. “ San Toy ” will he repeated to-night, and on Monday night the season will definitely close.