THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6099, 4 June 1881, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

The performance'< last "i night' was for Herr Baudniann's,benefit, under the patronage of the Mayor."..arid Corporation. The piece selected was 'an adaptation by Herr Bandraann, entitled "Blighted Lives," or V Father'and Son." The adapter has great skill in arranging strong situations by means of compression, and his experience of stage business lends force 'to the conception. Count do Villier (Herr Bandmann) and Sopliie, his wife (Miss Beaudet), lead a life. of unaccountabe estrangement. Their reputed son, an officer in'the army, is expected home from the war in Algiers, covered with distinction, but the Count leaves the house when Henri (Mr. J. 11. Munn) arrives. There is ' a daughter, Mellanie, who is beloved by her father. A ball is given by the Baroness Beauchamp, at which Sophie meets the Count de Brouillier, ah old lover. who seeks an audience, and'renews his professions of affection but is scornfully repudiated. :He implores forgiveness on his knees. The sceno is interrupted by. M. Malapropos (Mr. J. Musgrave), a silly busybody. The scandal goes through" the company, Henri challenges De Brouillier for a fancied insult to his mother. The affair discloses the fact of a Haiso7i between Madame Villier and De Brouillier twenty years before, and that Henri is really the"bob of- the lover arid not the husband. Father and son ar6'.'to !fight ; a I'oulrance, but De Villier imposes tjie secret on Deßrouillier, arid the'' son. is violent for revenge; .'De BrouiUier turns his hate and despair against De Villier; and they-fight; Herr Bindmariu Slays the part of; De Villier with great skill, iscrimination, and'"impressiveness. "Mi*. Cathcart, as Deßrouillier, was equally efTective. MrrMunri rather overworked the part of Henri. Miss Beandet, as Madame De Villier, played the part with great feeling and passion. She was loudly applauded. Miss Crawford, as Madame Beauehamp, played capitally. Miss Jessie Raymond played the part of Mellanie veiy effectively. The " Corsican Brothers " and "EastLynne" will be repeated this evening.

Oui ; advertising columns announce that Mr. C. A. Martin, late of the Captain Ccok Hotel, Kjbcr Pass, lias taken the Paris Ho:el, IVoHesleystocet East, '