THEATRE ROYAL.—LYDIA HOWARDE COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6001, 10 February 1881, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.—LYDIA HOWARDE COMPANY.

Biiftdii's extravaganza entitled "Ivanhoe" WAS produced last night. Miss Howarde as Sir Wilfred, Mr. Mowry as Bryan de Bois Guilbert, Mr. G. Leopold as Isaac of York, Mr. Harry -Power as Rebecca, Mdlle. de Glorian as Wamba, Miss Blanche Leopold as Rowena, Mr. Starke as Cedric, Miss Rose Andrews as Prince John, Mr. B. Cahill as the Black Knight, and Miss Vincent as De Bracy. The picce abounds with jcux d'csprits of various kinds of merit. As laughter is the only reason d'etre_ of this description of piece, there is no limit to the resources for producing the desired effect. All extravaganza is a species of bujf'onevic, and the only requisition is that r/auchevie shall be avoided. Good scenery, bright dresses, a merry mood in the audience, and rapid movement in the piece itself are the requirements of burlesque. Most of these desiderata are provided by Miss Howarde and her company. Some things are wanted. But perfection in everything is not to be had. The applause of the audience in these coses is the only true test of success. To judge by this criterion, the performances at the Theatre Royal must be taken <13 entirely -satisfactory. This evening Mr. H. B. Farmer's musical burlesque, entitled " Nemesis," will be produced for the first time in Auckland.