THEATRE ROYAL. — "LOCHINVAR OF THIS SIERRAS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5309, 21 November 1878, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL. — "LOCHINVAR OF THIS SIERRAS."

'-'ucu wai tho nomenclature of the production at the Theatre Royal last night, a fu<{itivo piece, the groundwork of which is Sir Walter Scott's famous ballad, " Vomi" L >eliitiva.r." It was to t'ie greatest possible •-xtent Americmis-iil. The hero, instead of being a young lord, was an illiterate backwoodsman, and nothing more. Mr. Darrell took this knightly role, and sustained it wi 11. The heroine, Helen Crawford, the fair bride, who was being we hlod against her will, was del neated by Mr?. Darrell in as effective a manner as the structure of the play would allow. In the part of Squire Brandon, guardian to the bride, and under the thumb of the proposed bridegroom, Mr. Muagrave played a careful role., and Mr. I .live, as the hated and hating rival, played well. The piece, a novelty, has some attractions, but is lint oue which can possibly letain a firm hold on the stage. The Yankee . vernacular, no matter how pronounced its nasal qualities may lie, cannot obtain ahold oil Knglish speaking population;;. As a de* iineatim of backwoods life, in America, the play is not, however, without merit, but it certainly does not afford scope for the capabilities of tbe stars, »r the utility of the members of the company. Perhaps this is one rea?ou why Mr. J. B. Steele ami Mrs. Hill were excluded from the cast. The comedy of a "Capital Match" brought the entertainmeut to a conclusion.