THE "YOUTH" DRAMATIC COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7005, 30 April 1884, Page 5

THE "YOUTH" DRAMATIC COMPANY.

"THE LIGHTS O' L'JNDONT." The success of the new drama was contirmod yesterday evening by the lar#e crowd which besi-ged the pit aud stall entrances before the doors were open. These parts of the house were almost instantly tilled. For a very large number of persons there was no room and they !i*d to be " turned away " as the pbraae is ou euoh occasions. There is uothing eo be added to our notice of the piece as published in our issue of yesterday, except that the performance wan even and nearly perfect last night. Some notice is due to the leading performers all of whom have really arduous parts. Mr. Frank C*tes as Harold Annytage has a r6U which taxes his strength to the uttermost. It is an impersonation rpdolcnt of vital force. Mr. 11. E Waltoo, as Clifford Armytage hae perhaps, the most intellectual character (that of the accomplished and gentlemanly villain), and he interprets it with excellent spirit and effect. Mr. W. G. Carey's Seth Preene is a strong performance, sustained with mental and personal strength throughout. Mr. J. K. Greville, as Jo the Showman, affords the audience as finished and thorough an example of low comedy as could be seen anywhere. He ia full of humour. Hβ has complete power over the rieible faculty of the audience. Miss Flora Aastead, as Mrs. Jarvis, plays to him in excellent rein, and with capital result. Miss E. Fitzroy'e Hetty Preene is a very effective impersonation. She is perfectly natural, always graceful, attires her parts richly, speaks the word* set for her with clearness and precision. Miss Watts Phillips, as Bess Mark*, has a part which taxes her strength, both emotional and physical, to the utmost. She gives a most truthful portrait of the faithful wife. Her impersonation would be even stronger if, in some passage.*, h*r tune were less measured and declamatory. Patho« ami artifice ot any kind are incompatible. But it is an admirable performance. ■•>]•. Tolano, as Philosopher Jack, gives a good full-length portrait of the sententious vagiant of the Londou streets. Mr. Kojjers gives a good idea of the selfimportant, but good-natured, Irish policeman. There a»e a score of other ciiaraeteis in the piece which give to it the aspect of complete realism, and therefore essential. But the action of the pieun does not turn upon their conduct. All of the actors ami a<;treiscs who take these parts are thoroughly conversant with the e.TrfCt to b* produced, and they produce it with much emphasis! J he audience fas enthusiastic in applaudin » at the end of each act. They compelled thr leading performers to cross the stage before tho curtain. They would invite the villain >t the piece into their presence, and the be 3!; compliment they could past him van to boo mm vociferously. This they did. There is ~o question as to the merit of the piece. The mine en no iw is wonderfully elaborate, and ia some cises admirably painted. The play will certainly have a long run of eucco«s. Almost everyone will go to see it.