THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5150, 20 May 1878, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The drama produced on Saturday night was evidently selected for the amusement of the special taste which indulges itself in sensational effects. It is entitled the " Female Detective," and affords the occasion to Miss Anuie Firmin to assume a great variety of "change*," accompanied with ballads and songs. The staple of the plot is that the hero and villain of the piece, Barry Mallison, alias Percy Allen (Mr. Burforcl) has robbed a bank, and is on the point of committing bigamy, when he is foiled by Florence Langton (Mils Annie Firmin), the sister of the intended victim. A London detective (Mr. J. B. Steele) is oa the track of the robber, and it is under his suggestion that Florence L&ngton assumes her various disguises. These are four in number—Guzzle Gutteridge, a serving woman; Mrs. Gammage, an ancient nurse; Lieutenant Harry Racket, of the "Dougherty Fusileers," and Barney O'Brien, whose nationality need not be told. Aβ an appendix to this repertory of comicalities, Mr. John Jack is titted with the part of a Dutch "loafer," who rejoices in the name of Ludovic Stuyvesant, which he embodies with great spirit and success. Mrs Walter Hill had the part of the deserted wife, and Miss L. May that of Una Langton, the ajfiancde. The remainder of the cast embraced all sorts of characters, good, bad, and indifferent. Of course, the principal features of the performance were Miss Firmin's "changes" and songs. All of these evoked enthusiastic applause, the songs being in every ease encored with such emphasis that the audience would take no denial. She was called for at the close of the performance, and greeted with a renewal of the applause. This evening the public will have the opportunity of seeing Miss Firmin in comedy. The well-known and ever-popalar " Our Boys " is to be produced for the only time. She is cast for the fine part of Mary Melroee. This piece will be a good test of her ability, for the success of Mrs. Lingard in the part of Mary Melrose is hardly yet forgottee. Mr. John Jack will appe*r as Middlewick, the retired batterman, a part it which he k said to have appeared to great advantage in the United States and Canada.