THEATRE ROYAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6146, 29 July 1881, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

The emotional play of "East Lynne," founded upon Mrs. Henry Woods novel of that name, was performed last evening at the above place of amusement. .The stalls and pit were very well filled, but there was not so good an attendance in the dress circle. "East Lynne " has been so recently played in this city that it is quite unnecessary to refer to the plot of the drama. Suffice it to say that tho leading characters were well sustained. Miss Marston Leigh in the dual characters of Lady Isabel Carlyle and Madame Vine displayed dramatic power o£ a very high order, of which the audience showed a marked appreciation by their- applause. Mr. James Garden played the r6le of Archibald Carlyle with care and finish. The Captain Francis Levison of Mr. Arthur Elliott scarcely came up to the popular conception of that "splendid sinner;" Miss Tanner, as Barbara Hare, was all that could be desired, and the same may be said of the Cornelia of Mrs. Lachlan McGowan, The other characters were creditably rendered, Justice Hare (Mr. J. J. Welsh), Earl of Mount Severn (Mr. J. P. West), Richard Hare (Mr. James O'Brien), Lawyer Dill (Mr. Sefton), and Willie Carlyle by Little Blanche. Mr. Lachlan McGowan, as Bullock, the policeman; kept tho audience greatly amused by his humorous rendering of the part, and Miss Maggie Knight mad the most of the part allotted her, as Joyce, a . ladies' maid. To-night the pleasing comedy of "Extremes" will be performed, and should draw a good house.